Ethanol Sanitiser Misuse: AP DCA Seeks Return of Mandatory Licensing, Flags Public Health Risks
An illustration of hand sanitizer in use
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BYU Photo
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has urged the Central Government to withdraw the licensing exemption for alcohol-based hand sanitisers, citing concerns over their alleged misuse as a substitute for liquor and the potential public health risks associated with such practices.
AP DCA Director General P. Arun Babu wrote to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking the withdrawal of Notification S.O. 245(E), issued on July 27, 2020. The notification had permitted the sale of sanitisers without a drug licence as a temporary measure to ensure adequate availability of the products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DCA chief has now raised concerns that the pandemic-era exemption is being exploited to bypass regulatory requirements. According to the department, large quantities of ethanol-based sanitisers are allegedly being procured and distributed for oral consumption as an alternative to alcoholic beverages.
Recent inspections and raids conducted by drug control officials at retail pharmacies in Vijayawada reportedly uncovered instances where medical shops were selling substantial quantities of ethanol-based sanitisers to individuals who intended to consume them as a cheaper substitute for liquor.
During one such enforcement drive, drug control inspectors seized procurement bills from Sai Venkateswara Pharmacy and Surgical in the Patamata area of Vijayawada. The records reportedly showed that the single retail outlet had purchased and sold nearly 33,586 bottles of 70% v/v ethanol-based hand sanitiser, with each bottle containing 100 ml, over a period of 18 months.
Following the findings, authorities have initiated licence cancellation proceedings against three retail establishments allegedly involved in the illicit trade of ethanol-based sanitiser products.
The DCA has pointed out that ethanol-free hand sanitisers are already available in the market, and therefore urged the Health Department to reconsider the continuation of the 2020 exemption from a public health and regulatory perspective.
The Andhra Pradesh authorities have specifically urged the Centre to restore mandatory licensing requirements for ethanol-based sanitisers. According to the DCA, bringing these products back under licensing requirements would enable authorities to better monitor stocks, track their movement and prevent their misuse for oral consumption.
The department has also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory oversight to address the risks associated with the inappropriate consumption of alcohol-based sanitising products, reports The New Indian Express.
