Medical shops warned not to sell H/H1 drugs without prescription | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG-SAFE) has suspended the licences of 138 medical shops across the state for illegally selling and diverting habit-forming and psychotropic drugs, as part of a special enforcement drive.Of the 138 shops, 98 have been placed under suspension until further orders, while 40 have been suspended for a definite period. Two other establishments have been issued warnings.During the inspections, officials checked medical shops in vulnerable areas suspected of illegally selling habit-forming drugs.The drugs commonly targeted for illegal sale and diversion include tramadol, alprazolam, nitrazepam, tapentadol, pregabalin, zolpidem and codeine-containing cough syrups, all of which have legitimate medical uses but carry a risk of misuse or dependence.“We have warned chemists and druggists against selling psychotropic and Schedule H/H1 drugs without valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners. Establishments have also been directed to maintain purchase, sale and stock records as prescribed under the law,” he added.Officials cautioned that violations could attract stringent action, including suspension or cancellation of licences and prosecution.