Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii has warned that the government will take strict action against medicine dealers who violate laws governing the sale of pharmaceutical drugs, including cancellation of their drug licences.
In a social media post, the minister said an inter-ministerial meeting was held in Aizawl on Monday to discuss the growing misuse and illegal sale of pharmaceutical drugs, particularly codeine syrup.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Mizoram has raised concerns over the misuse and illegal sale of pharmaceutical drugs.
Codeine syrup has been identified by the Health Minister as a major concern.
Drug dealers violating applicable laws could face cancellation of their licences.
Authorities have discussed seizures and alleged irregularities in medicine procurement and sales.
The minister has called for continued investigation and enforcement.
The meeting was attended by Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, officials from the Health and Excise and Narcotics departments, and representatives of the Central Young Mizo Association.
According to Lalrinpuii, the meeting discussed seizures of pharmaceutical drugs intended for misuse and cases involving arrests and prosecution over alleged irregularities in the procurement and sale of medicines, including cases involving licensed medicine dealers.
The minister said codeine syrup was identified as the most widely abused pharmaceutical drug in Mizoram. She said large quantities were reportedly entering the state and being sold without prescriptions despite being a prescription-only medicine.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The warning highlights the state government's efforts to curb the illegal sale and misuse of pharmaceutical medicines and enforce regulations governing their distribution.
Lalrinpuii said the misuse had spread among young people, adults and children. She also expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some drug dealers and people posing as medical representatives in the illegal trade.
According to the minister, the meeting discussed cases in which labels on codeine syrup bottles were allegedly replaced with labels of other medicines to conceal their identity. She said several such bottles had been seized and some people linked to the alleged illegal trade had been arrested.
Lalrinpuii warned that licences of dealers found violating the law would be revoked. She also said new licences for pharmaceutical dealers would be issued only after careful scrutiny.
The minister urged the Excise and Narcotics Department to pursue its investigation and called on the Food and Drug Administration and the Central YMA to continue follow-up action against the illegal sale and misuse of pharmaceutical drugs.
