Telangana medical shops have faced regulatory action after a special enforcement drive found violations linked to the sale of habit-forming drugs, with licences of 138 outlets suspended and two others warned, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
The action was taken by the Drugs Wing of the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs, or TG SAFE, in coordination with enforcement wing police personnel. Raids were conducted at medical shops in vulnerable areas across the state.
Of the 138 shops affected, 98 were ordered to remain closed until further orders. The licences of the remaining 40 shops were suspended for a specified period. TG SAFE also issued warnings to two other medical shops.
The inspections found violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules governing the sale of habit-forming medicines. The report did not specify the locations of the individual shops or the duration of the licence suspensions.
TG SAFE cautioned chemists and druggists against selling habit-forming medicines without valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners. The drugs covered by the warning include psychotropic medicines and medicines classified under Schedule H and Schedule H1.
The authority said medical shops must maintain prescribed records of purchases, sales and stocks. They are also required to ensure the presence of a registered pharmacist. These requirements place responsibility on pharmacies to document the movement of controlled and prescription medicines and to ensure that sales are supervised by qualified personnel.
The enforcement action highlights the role of pharmacy-level compliance in controlling access to medicines that can be misused or lead to dependence. For residents, the rules mean that certain medicines cannot legally be sold without a valid prescription, while pharmacies must maintain the records required under the applicable regulations.
TG SAFE’s action followed a coordinated inspection involving its Drugs Wing and police enforcement personnel. The 98 shops ordered to remain closed will stay shut until further orders, while the 40 shops with time-bound suspensions will be subject to the specified regulatory action. The authority’s warning to chemists and druggists remains in force across the state.
