Sep 15, 2024
Kochi: A joint inspection by excise special squad and drugs control depaltment at a medical shop at Kadavanthra has exposed the alleged sale of prescription drugs without proper documents, said officials.
According to an official statement from the department, the inspection was held based on the information received by excise commissioner Mahipal Yadav. The checking was held at Spectrum Pharma as per the directive of joint excise commissioner (central region) N Ashok Kumar. It was found that tramadol tablets, classified under Schedule HI and being misused as a narcotic among students and youngsters, were allegedly being sold without documentation.
According to excise, it was found that from July, 20,910 tramadol tablets were purchased, out of which 18,535 were sold, while 2,758 tablets were sold without any records. Spasmonil tablets, which are used as a narcotic, were also allegedly sold without clear prescriptions, excise said, adding that it was also found that the medical shop had OCB cigarette rolling papers in bulk stock.
Officials added that the owner of the establishment has 13 medical shops in Ernakulam district and inspections will be conducted there in the coming days. Possessing tramadol tablets, which are used as painkillers, without a doctor’s prescription in quantities of five gram or more is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Strong follow-up actions will be taken against the sale of such substances under the guise of a medical shop licence, as it creates widespread negative impacts on society, excise said.
Drugs control depaltment has announced that strict measures, including cancellation of licences, will be taken. Excise authorities also stated that steps have been initiated to identify individuals purchasing narcotic drugs from medical shops. The inspection team included excise circle inspector P Sreeraj, drug inspectors Tessy Thomas and Gladys P Kachappilly, excise inspector Pramod, preventive officer (grade) Pradeesh, and civil excise officers Karthik, Jiji Ashokan, and driver Bader.
Source: Economic times