Exempt us from CBN orders, say chemists

Amritsar, August 25

Chemists expressed resentment over the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) orders mandating medicine dealers, chemists and stockists to file periodical data on the department website regarding various drug formulations. The CBN had reasoned that in many cases narcotics drugs and psychotropic drugs supply was found diverted to illicit channels.

The chemists stated that instead of increasing the burden on them, the NCB can keep a check on drug manufacturers as every drug comes from them. The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), a representative body of medicine dealers, said after receiving concerns on the implementation of the public notice and complexity of format, they have already written to the national authorities in this regard.

AIOCD president JS Shinde said a public notice was issued to all stakeholders for registration by traders, distributors, stockists, chemists and have been asked to submit quarterly returns on CBN online portal for psychotropic substances by September 30.

General secretary Rajiv Singhal said registration and filing of complicated quarterly returns by over 10 lakh traders across the country increases the administrative burden and hardships of traders.