Telangana authorities have suspended the licences of 138 medical shops and warned two others after a statewide enforcement drive found violations linked to the sale of habit-forming medicines without proper controls. The action includes orders for 98 shops to remain closed until further orders and time-bound licence suspensions for 40 others.
The enforcement drive was conducted by the Drugs Wing of the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE), in coordination with enforcement wing police personnel. Raids were carried out at medical shops in vulnerable areas across the state, according to the report.
The inspections identified violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules governing the sale of habit-forming medicines. TG SAFE said chemists and druggists must not sell psychotropic medicines or Schedule H and H1 drugs without valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners.
The action places the compliance responsibilities of retail pharmacies at the centre of the enforcement process. Medical shops are required to maintain prescribed records of purchases, sales and stocks, while also ensuring that a registered pharmacist is present. These requirements are intended to establish an auditable trail for medicines subject to tighter controls.
The distinction between the penalties is significant. Ninety-eight shops were directed to remain closed until further orders, while the licences of 40 shops were suspended for a specified period. Two additional medical shops received warnings, although the supplied report does not specify the locations of the establishments or the duration of the suspensions.
The enforcement drive also highlights the role of coordination between the state drug-control administration and the police in monitoring medicine sales. TG SAFE’s warning applies to chemists and druggists across Telangana and covers both the prescription requirement and the record-keeping obligations attached to controlled medicines.
The authority has cautioned medical retailers against further violations. Shops selling Schedule H, H1 or psychotropic medicines must comply with prescription rules, maintain the required purchase, sales and stock records, and ensure the presence of a registered pharmacist, according to the enforcement guidance reported by Deccan Chronicle.
