Widely abused neurological drug formulations worth over Rs 5 crore seized in Punjab in 2024: Minister
New Delhi: Drug formulations containing pregabalin worth Rs 5.97 crore seized by the Food and Drugs Administration of Punjab government from 72 premises last year, Union Health Minister J P Nadda stated.
In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister also said that 12 firms faced cancellation of licenses while 46 faced suspension of licenses and 11 complaints filed in the courts.
“As informed by the Food and Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing, Punjab), the government of Punjab is aware about the increasing misuse and trafficking of pharmaceutical drug pregabalin,” he said.
Pregabalin is a widely abused neurological drug. The drug is used to treat epilepsy but some people use it for recreational purposes.
As per PTI, the Food and Drug Administration had issued instructions to drugs manufacturer, clearing and forwarding agents, wholesale chemists and retail sale chemists of the state in a letter dated February 28 to mandatorily submit information, report regarding the sale and purchase of pregabalin and other six types of drugs over and above sale and purchase of fixed limit in a single invoice to the drugs control officers of the area concerned
Regulatory control over the sale and distribution of drugs is exercised through a system of licensing and inspection by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by the state government.
SLAs are empowered to take action in case of violation of regulatory provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945.
Isolated complaints are received from time to time on the sale of prescription drugs without prescription and the same are forwarded to the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) concerned for appropriate action, Nadda said.
The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under Section 7 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 is the advisory committee to advise the Centre, state government and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) on any matter tending to secure uniformity throughout India in the administration of the Act.
The DCC in its 65th meeting held on December 20, 2024 deliberated the matter related to misuse of pregabalin and its preparation and its inclusion in Schedule H1 of Drugs Rules, 1945 to monitor the sale of drugs only on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner, Nadda said.
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