Odisha ramps up drive against illegal sale of MTP kits
Bhubaneshwar: In a major push to protect public health, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified the state-wide drive on the illegal sale of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits, misuse of abortion pills, and unsafe self-medication.
The Drugs Control Directorate has been instructed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, with strict action against unregulated abortion-related activities, a senior Health Department official confirmed.
Coordinated efforts among assistant controller of drugs, drug inspectors, police, law and order authorities are being carried out at field level in all the districts. Enforcement teams are conducting raids on unauthorised sale of MTP kits, absence of pharmacists in drug stores, non-maintenance of prescription records regarding sale of MTP kits, illegal stocking, etc, as per the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
The department has very clearly instructed to prevent such illegal acts by unscrupulous shops or agents. So far, more than 400 raids have been conducted in different districts of the State, and 234 violations have been detected.
Simultaneously, the raid/inspection reports are being examined and show-cause notices being issued. Fifty-five shop owners have been issued show-cause notice as pre-step towards prosecution. Two shops dealing with MTP kits and medicines without proper licence have been seized and steps initiated for prosecution. It has been reiterated that stringent action will continue against the distributors, wholesalers and retailers violating the statutory provisions.
Strict vigilance is also being maintained on habit-forming drugs, codeine -containing cough syrup and spurious drug rackets, added the officials.
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