Raid: Ludhiana Chemist Caught Selling MTP Kit Without Prescription
New Delhi: The Drugs Control Department in Ludhiana has caught a medical store in Haibowal Kalan allegedly selling a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kit without a valid prescription during a decoy operation conducted as part of an enforcement drive against illegal sale of sensitive medicines.
Officials stated that the action was carried out on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana to check unauthorised sale of medicines requiring strict regulatory compliance. During the operation, Drugs Control Officer (DCO) Ludhiana-3 Navdeep Sandhu inspected two pharmaceutical firms in different areas of the city.
At a medical store located in Raghubir Park, Haibowal Kalan, a decoy customer was reportedly sent to verify whether the chemist was following legal procedures related to the sale of MTP kits. During the inspection, the medical store allegedly sold the abortion kit to the decoy customer without asking for a prescription from a registered medical practitioner and without issuing a sale invoice, both of which are mandatory under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and related rules.
Officials stated that the violations were immediately documented in the877 inspection report prepared at the spot. During further scrutiny, the medical store also allegedly failed to produce purchase records for the stocked MTP kits, amounting to another violation under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which mandates maintenance of proper procurement and sale records.
Navdeep Sandhu told The Hindustan Times that legal action is being initiated against the violator in accordance with the law. He further stated that surprise inspections and decoy operations would continue across Ludhiana to curb the illegal sale of sensitive medicines and ensure strict regulatory compliance.
Health authorities have repeatedly warned that unsupervised use of MTP kits can pose serious health risks to women, especially when consumed without medical consultation, pregnancy assessment or proper dosage guidance. Officials said the over-the-counter sale of such medicines remains under close surveillance due to concerns over misuse and unsafe abortions.
Hindustan Times reports that the action was part of an ongoing enforcement drive against unauthorised sale of medicines requiring strict regulatory monitoring. Authorities added that similar inspection drives and enforcement actions will continue in the district to prevent illegal sale of regulated medicines and safeguard public health.
