Telangana authorities have suspended 138 medical shops after special raids found violations linked to the illegal sale and diversion of habit-forming drugs, with 98 establishments ordered to remain closed indefinitely until further notice.
The enforcement action was taken by the Drugs Wing of the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE), in coordination with police enforcement personnel. The raids were conducted across various parts of Telangana on October 15, and action orders were issued against 140 medical establishments under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
According to official data released by TG SAFE on Tuesday, 40 of the suspended shops received fixed-term suspension orders. Two other establishments were issued formal warnings rather than suspension orders.
The regulatory action focuses on the sale and diversion of habit-forming drugs, including psychotropic medicines and drugs listed under Schedule H and Schedule H1. TG SAFE reiterated that these medicines must not be dispensed without a valid prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner.
Medical shops have also been directed to ensure that a Registered Pharmacist is present and to maintain detailed records of purchases, sales and stock. These records are intended to support regulatory oversight of the movement of medicines and help identify possible diversion from legitimate medical use.
The scale of the action places pharmacy-level compliance at the centre of Telangana’s effort to control the unauthorised circulation of medicines with potential for misuse. The orders also show that enforcement action can extend beyond individual sales to the licensing status of establishments that fail to follow statutory requirements.
TG SAFE warned chemists and druggists across the State that violations could lead to severe penalties, including cancellation of licences and criminal prosecution. The authority did not provide, in the information released, a shop-wise breakdown of the violations, the duration of each fixed-term suspension or the total quantity of medicines seized during the raids.
Members of the public can report the illegal sale or diversion of habit-forming drugs to the TG SAFE Drugs Wing through its toll-free number, 1800-599-6969. The helpline operates on all working days from 10.30 am to 5 pm.
The suspended establishments will remain subject to the orders issued by the regulatory authority, while the 98 shops placed under indefinite suspension will stay closed until further notice.
