Kohima: In a bid to regulate the sale of restricted drugs and prevent misuse, the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, NCS, has issued a stringent directive for all pharmacies and medical stores in the district.
This order follows a previous directive dated 19 April 2023 and is in compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, as amended through Gazette Notification GSR 588(E) on 30 August 2023.
According to the new regulations, the sale of Schedule ‘X’, ‘H’, and ‘H1’ drugs will now require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner, with sales strictly limited to the quantity specified in the prescription.
Pharmacies have been instructed to maintain a detailed register documenting all transactions involving these restricted drugs. This includes the name of the prescriber, patient details, drug name, and quantity sold. These records must be preserved for three years and will be subject to inspection by regulatory authorities.
The DC also directed that, in compliance with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Joint Action Plan, authorities will inspect CCTV footage from the past two months. The District Drug Controller Authority and the District Enforcement Force, Kohima, will oversee these inspections to ensure adherence to the directive.
Failure to comply with these regulations will invite strict legal action under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), Section 28A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and other relevant laws.
The district administration has urged all pharmacies and medical stores to strictly follow these guidelines to prevent the misuse of restricted drugs and ensure compliance with the law.
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