The substance abuse has turned out to be a major issue making it crucial for the concerned government authorities to adopt a multipronged strategy to keep the abusers at a safe distance from drugs. The issue has become so complex that not only narcotics consignments coming from across the border are troubling the authorities but even the corner chemist shops in and around local Mohallas have been posing a challenge with certain elements indulging in wrongful business practices to earn more unethically.
It is necessary for the enforcement agencies to counter all such threats with exemplary strictness as illegal sale of habit-forming drugs to abusers by erring chemists in the vicinity has become a new headache for the authorities.
In this context, reportedly a special drive was conducted in the Jammu province whereby operations of 40 Drugs Sales Establishments (8 in Jammu, 6 in Reasi, 4 in Kathua, 7 in Samba, 5 in Rajouri, 5 in Poonch, 5 in Udhampur) were disallowed on spot under Section 22 (d) of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 by the empowered authorities for non-maintenance of sales records of medicinal preparations containing habit forming ingredients viz Pregabailin-300 as mandated under the Act.
It is pertinent to mention that Show Cause Notices have also been served upon the aforesaid erring drug sales establishments for indulging in unethical trade practices intentionally and contravening the provisions of the aforementioned Act. Although, apparently such drives seem to be effective but dwelling deep to analyze this issue analytically, one can conclude that until and unless a system will not be developed to document every transaction with regard to such drugs and things monitored electronically by keeping record of prescriptions along with ID proof of the customers of these drugs things won’t come under control.
Therefore, the chemists should record every sale of habit-forming drugs. Conducting videography of the individual purchasing the drugs and taking a copy of their valid ID proof can deter the bogus lot from approaching the chemist shops as this initiative will help in storing the identity of those purchasing such drugs. For sure, such practices would add an extra layer of accountability, making it easier to trace any irregularities or suspicious activities. Furthermore, chemists should be mandated to keep a photocopy machine on hand, ensuring that copies of both prescriptions and IDs are made for record-keeping. Such initiative would not only deter wrongful transactions but also make investigations more effective in case of violations in such cases.
Making such procedures compulsory the people dealing with such drugs including retailers, wholesalers and distributors will become accountable and as a result things will be streamlined as per the norms.
