Pharmacist Arrested for Allegedly Renting Licence to Divert Codeine Cough Syrup in Gujarat
Rajkot: In a major crackdown on the illegal diversion of prescription medicines, Bhavnagar police have arrested a licensed pharmacist for allegedly allowing her pharmacy licence to be used to procure and distribute codeine-based cough syrup that was later sold in the black market for abuse as an intoxicant. Police claim the prescription medicine was diverted to drug peddlers and commonly consumed after being mixed with soft drinks.
The investigation began after surveillance teams arrested Vinod Vaghela and seized 66 bottles, amounting to 19.3 litres, of codeine phosphate cough syrup that was allegedly meant for illegal sale. During the probe, investigators found that the medicine had allegedly been procured using the licence of a registered pharmacist, prompting further action against those involved.
Based on the evidence gathered, Bortalav police arrested 21-year-old licensed pharmacist Deesha Bariya. According to investigators, she allegedly rented out her pharmacy licence to medical store operator Rajesh Sandish in exchange for financial benefits. Police alleged that the arrangement enabled the unlawful procurement and sale of prescription codeine syrup in violation of the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Investigators further alleged that Sandish used the pharmacist's licence to procure large quantities of the prescription medicine without adhering to the legal safeguards governing the sale of codeine-containing products. Police have so far arrested Vinod Vaghela, Janak Solanki, Rajesh Sandish, and pharmacist Deesha Bariya in connection with the case.
According to a recent media report in The Times of India, Bhavnagar Superintendent of Police Nitesh Pandey stated that the pharmacist knowingly permitted the use of her licence for illegal activities, facilitating the diversion of codeine-based cough syrup into the black market, where such medicines were allegedly sold for abuse and intoxication.
Codeine is an opioid derived from the poppy plant and is used in prescription medicines to treat cough and relieve pain. Owing to its addictive properties and narcotic nature, medicines containing codeine can only be dispensed against a valid doctor's prescription. Police stated that drug peddlers allegedly supplied the cough syrup to addicts, who commonly mixed it with soda to achieve an intoxicating effect. Investigators are now probing the wider distribution network to determine whether additional pharmacies or individuals were involved in the illegal supply chain.
