Telangana DCA launches special enforcement drive to curb illegal sale of habit-forming drugs, abortion kits

Hyderabad: Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) on Wednesday launched a special enforcement drive to curb the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs, abortion kits, and antibiotics without proper authorization.

Inspections were carried out across retail medical shops throughout the State, resulting in show-cause notices being issued to 180 outlets for regulatory violations.

Focus on prescription-only medicines

According to officials, the drive placed “prime emphasis on verifying the sale of prescription medicines, including Schedule H and Schedule H1 drugs, and ensuring that retail medical shops dispense them only against a valid prescription issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner.”

DCA enforcement teams checked whether pharmacies were maintaining mandatory records, adhering to storage standards, and following legal requirements for drugs classified as controlled or high-risk.

These medicines include certain psychotropic substances, antibiotics known to contribute to antimicrobial resistance, and abortion-inducing formulations restricted under national drug laws.

Habit-forming drugs and abortion kits under scrutiny

The administration stated that the campaign was designed “as part of a special drive with emphasis on curbing the indiscriminate sale of habit-forming drugs, abortion kits, and antibiotics in retail medical shops.”

Officials noted that unauthorised access to such medicines poses significant risks to public health, including drug misuse, unsafe abortions, and antibiotic resistance.

Habit-forming substances such as certain sedatives, painkillers, and cough syrups are known to be diverted for non-medical use when sold without strict oversight.

Abortion kits, which require careful medical supervision, have been at the centre of previous enforcement actions due to reports of misuse and risk to consumers.

Violations and notices issued

During the inspections, discrepancies included dispensing prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription, improper maintenance of Schedule H1 registers, absence of qualified pharmacists, inappropriate storage conditions, and sale of restricted kits without authorization.

The administration confirmed that “show-cause notices were issued to 180 retail medical shops for various discrepancies detected by the inspection teams during the special drive.”

Pharmacies receiving notices are required to explain the violations and demonstrate corrective measures within a stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply may lead to suspension or cancellation of their licenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Background: Rising concerns over unregulated drug sales

The DCA has been conducting periodic inspections in Telangana amid rising concerns about easy access to high-risk medications. Public health experts have warned that the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance, while unsupervised use of abortion pills can lead to serious complications.

Habit-forming drugs, particularly codeine-containing syrups and certain benzodiazepines, have also been under the scanner due to their misuse among young people and vulnerable groups. Regulatory bodies across India have been stepping up enforcement to ensure that pharmacies adhere strictly to prescription norms.

Next steps

The DCA is expected to continue statewide enforcement drives over the coming weeks. Officials indicated that sustained monitoring will be carried out to ensure compliance with prescription protocols and to prevent the circulation of restricted medicines through unregulated channels.

The administration has urged pharmacists to adhere to legal requirements and citizens to avoid purchasing prescription drugs without consulting qualified healthcare professionals.