DCA suspends licences of 20 medical shops and cancels licence of one shop for illegally selling habit-forming drugs

K M Dayashankar

HYDERABAD, JULY 24, 2024: The Drug Control Administration, Telangana has suspended the licences of 20 medical shops in Hyderabad and Secunderabad zones and licence of one medical shop was cancelled for the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs

Following inputs from the Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad, the DCA officials conducted raids as part of the special drive concerning the illegal sale of  habit-forming drugs, including Codeine-containing cough syrups, Nitravet (Nitrazepam) Tablets, Restyl (Alprazolam) Tablets, Ultracet Tablets (Tramadol), and Tydol Tablets (Tapentadol), etc.

In official release here on Wednesday, DCA Director-General VB Kamalasan Reddy said that they had carried out raids at several medical shops during the first and second weeks of July following Commissioner’s Task force inputs about the  indiscriminate sale of several drugs with habit-forming tendencies, primarily classified under Schedule H1 and Schedule X of the Drugs Rules, was verified during the raids.

During the raids, the officers detected several violations related to the indiscriminate sale of habit-forming drugs, including the sale of such drugs without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner, the sale without issuing bills, failure to produce purchase bills, failure to maintain prescription registers and Schedule H1 registers, and other violations of Drugs Rules.

The licence of one medical shop was cancelled, and the licences of twenty medical shops were suspended as part of the special drive addressing violations related to the indiscriminate sale of habit-forming drugs.

Medical Shop Whose Licence Was Cancelled

Medical Shops Whose Licences Were Suspended

The abuse of habit-forming drugs such as Codeine syrups and Nitrazepam Tablets can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences. These substances are often misused for their sedative effects, which can result in addiction and dependence. Continued misuse or overdose of these drugs can cause respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and even death.

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, anxiety associated with depression, and insomnia. However, its potential for addiction and habit-forming is very high. Abuse of alprazolam can lead to a range of adverse effects, including addiction, physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.

Misuse of Alprazolam can result in sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, impaired coordination, memory problems, and respiratory depression, especially when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Long-term abuse of Alprazolam can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health, including cognitive impairment, mood disturbances, and an increased risk of accidents.