No check on psychotropic drug sale sans prescription in Rajpura

Karam Prakash

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Patiala, September 24

Psychotropic drugs, which come under the prescription medicines, are being sold by chemists without prescription in Rajpura town.

Against rule

I have no idea of the psychotropic drugs being sold without prescription outside the hospital. This is not allowed as per the rule. — Dr Jagpalinder Singh, SMO, AP Jain Civil Hospital

No plaint received

We have not received any complaint so far. If we get one, we will act on it. — Dr Navjot Kaur, Zonal Licensing Authority

Rules flouted

Tablet “Ultracet”, “S Citonaz plus”, “Petril” and “Zolfresh”, all prescription drugs, were also available without prescription at a few chemist shops.

According to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, drugs specified in the Schedule H1 category cannot be sold without prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

The Tribune team visited a few chemist shops outside AP Jain Civil Hospital in Rajpura and purchased “Petril”, a psychotropic drug, without prescription to fact-check the situation. The drug is used for treating anxiety, depression and epilepsy. A senior doctor of Government Rajindra Hospital said: “The addiction or habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. It can only be given as per the dose and duration, on the advice of a doctor.”

Tablet “Ultracet”, “S Citonaz plus” and “Zolfresh”, all prescription drugs, were also available without prescription at a few chemist shops.

A doctor of AP Jain Civil Hospital, who wished not to be named, said: “A Vigilance Bureau probe should be ordered to find out the connivance of health officials with these chemist shops.”

Police sources said psychotropic drugs were preferred by addicts having a low income, as these were way cheaper than regular drugs.

Meanwhile, feigning ignorance, Dr Jagpalinder Singh, SMO, AP Jain Civil Hospital, said: “I have no idea of the psychotropic drugs being sold without prescription outside the hospital. This is not allowed as per the rule.”

Dr Navjot Kaur, Zonal Licensing Authority, said: “We have not received any complaint so far. If we get one, we will act on it.”