Schedule H1 drugs easily sold without prescriptions

Srinagar, Mar 16: Several medical stores across the city are selling Schedule H1 medicines over the counter, despite the ban imposed on the dangerous practice.
Under Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the 46 drugs categorised as Schedule H1 cannot be sold over the counter (OTC), unlike general medicines.
Schedule H1 medicines mainly include potent antibiotics and addictive painkillers like Tramadol and anti-anxiety drugs that induce sleep.
The Act clearly states that H1 category drugs could not be given without the prescription from a “registered medical practitioner”.
Yet, these medicines are easily available here, often sold without a prescription.
“Who would demand a prescription?” questioned a middle-aged chemist. “If someone is asking for the drugs, he must be in need of them. Why will someone unnecessarily spend money on these expensive drugs?”
President of Doctors Association Kashmir, Dr Suhail Naik, told The Kashmir Monitor that he, as a practitioner, regularly comes across patients affected by the wrong medicines.
“It’s a common perception among the people here that taking medicines without consulting doctors is helpful. One shall know the harmful effects of using H1 category drugs,” he said.
“Not everyone has a degree. People need to understand that there are many medical shops that also run without licenses. This is wrong and one needs to be cautious.”
Blaming the government and the Drug Control Department, Dr Naik said the practice was more prevent in urban areas.
As per the Drug Control Department, licenses of many medical stores were suspended for selling H1 category drugs without prescriptions.
The reports say 600 stores have been sealed in Kashmir division in the last six years for running without licenses.
Reportedly, more than 1,800 medical stores in the Valley possess expired licenses.
Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Drug Controller, Srinagar, however, said the department has been on its toes to check the illegal sale of H1 category drugs.
“If you see, actions have been taken in the past. We have seized licenses of the pharmacists who have sold substandard or misbranded drugs. We have also sealed the pharmacies that were operating without authorised licenses,” he said.
“In future, too, we will continue to take strict actions.”