The Punjab Chemists Association has directed around 27,000 wholesale and retail chemists across Punjab to stop selling habit-forming medicines from October 25, citing alleged harassment by the state government amid an intensified crackdown on the sale of drugs.
The association has also asked chemists to return stocks of these medicines, including pregabalin and other narcotic and psychotropic substances, to wholesalers and distributors, however, in Jalandhar, these medicines are currently available on prescription, according to Rishu Verma, president of the Wholesale Chemists Organisation (WCO), Jalandhar.
Verma said the decision had been announced by the state-level association, but chemists in Jalandhar were continuing to dispense the medicines against prescriptions at present, and he alleged that the ongoing action against chemists amounted to harassment, claiming that even those who had not committed any wrongdoing were being unnecessarily targeted.
The decision comes amid intensified inspections and raids by the Punjab Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at chemist shops across the state and the action is aimed at checking the illegal sale and misuse of habit-forming medicines.
Under existing rules, licensed chemists can dispense certain prescription medicines, including pregabalin, against valid physical prescriptions, however, the association alleges that chemists are facing penalties over discrepancies in records, bills and other documentation despite operating legally.
GS Chawla, general secretary of the Punjab Chemists Association, said frequent raids and penalties following inspections had created difficulties for chemists and he maintained that the association did not oppose action against illegal drug sales but argued that legitimate businesses should not face the consequences of violations committed by others.
Sudarshan Chaudhary, vice-president of the association, said chemists had to follow detailed procedures to maintain records of psychotropic medicines but were still being treated as drug peddlers and the association has also asked its unit presidents and secretaries to inform chemists in their respective areas about the decision and report any difficulties or seek clarification.
Pregabalin is among the medicines specifically mentioned by the association. The drug has also figured in the controversy surrounding the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
Jhota was shot dead on October 13 following a confrontation at a chemist shop over the alleged sale of addictive medicines. The case has drawn attention to the availability and alleged misuse of such drugs in Punjab.
The chemists' association has said that it wants to support the fight against drug abuse while protecting the interests and reputation of legitimate pharmacists.
Chaudhary suggested that the government should make these medicines available through government-run outlets under the prevailing circumstances and a representative of the association also suggested government dispensaries, civil hospitals and Jan Aushadhi Kendras as possible supply channels for patients who genuinely require the medicines.
The proposed halt in sales could affect patients who depend on these medicines for ongoing treatment, including those dealing with certain types of nerve pain, anxiety-related conditions and other medical problems for which a doctor may prescribe them.
The availability of authorised alternatives will therefore be important if private chemists discontinue their sale.
Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official said the decision had not been officially communicated to him and that he had received no information about it and he added that violations by chemists would be dealt with according to the law, depending on the offences established.
With the state-level association calling for a halt to sales and Jalandhar chemists continuing to dispense the medicines on prescription, the situation may vary across locations. Further clarification from the association and the state government is awaited.