Telangana authorities found violations in the sale of habit-forming prescription medicines and ordered the pharmacies to explain the findings.
TG SAFE’s special enforcement drive took place on October 6 in the Charminar, Mehdipatnam, Tolichowki, Malakpet and Goshamahal zones. Inspectors used decoy operations and test purchases to detect illegal sales and diversion of prescription medicines.
The medicines targeted included Tramadol, Tapentadol, Nitrazepam, Pregabalin-containing drugs, Zolpidem, Alprazolam and Codeine-containing cough syrups. The inspections also covered medicines listed under Schedules H1 and X of the Drugs Rules.
Violations included dispensing prescription medicines without a registered doctor’s prescription or without a registered pharmacist present, as well as sales without bills. Officials said some shops did not maintain or produce sales and prescription registers. They also found shortcomings in purchase records.