158 medical shops face action over illegal sale of habit-forming drugs | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: As part of a special enforcement drive, the TG SAFE drugs wing conducted inspections at medical shops across Telangana and detected violations at 158 establishments involving the sale of habit-forming drugs.The inspections focused on medicines such as tramadol, pregabalin, nitrazepam, alprazolam, tapentadol, codeine-containing cough syrups and zolpidem. Officials specifically checked compliance with regulations governing the sale of Schedule H1 and Schedule X medicines.Several violations were detected, including the sale of prescription medicines without valid prescriptions, dispensing drugs in the absence of a registered pharmacist, failure to issue or maintain sales bills, and non-maintenance of prescription and Schedule H1 drug registers.Show-cause notices were issued to all 158 medical shops. Officials warned that further action, including suspension or cancellation of drug licences, would be initiated against establishments found guilty of violations.The department reiterated that Schedule H, H1 and X medicines must be sold only against valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners. It also warned that the illegal sale or diversion of such medicines for non-therapeutic or abusive purposes would invite stringent action, including prosecution.