THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Widespread misuse of cough syrups and life-saving medicines by school students has prompted the Kerala State Commission for Child Rights to call for stern action from the state government.
The Commission on Monday instructed the Excise Department and Drugs Control Department to carry out inspections at medical stores in a bid to prevent their misuse by children. The directive was issued on the basis of reports that these medicines were used for substance abuse.The Drugs Controller has been instructed to ensure that medicines listed in the H-1 Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule,1945,are preserved and distributed as per the norms.
Strict instructions must be given to drugs inspectors to initiate prosecution in case of violations, the Commission said. Drug inspectors have been asked to inspect the purchase register, stock register and bill books in the stores.
Extra vigil should be maintained in the case of medical shops situated in the vicinity of schools,the Commission said. Also,as part of the tightening measures, special inspections should be carried out in medical shops where the sale of H-1 listed medicines were relatively higher.
Stern action shall be taken in the event of violations coming to light. The Commission has also come out with a set of instructions for shop owners.They should maintain copies of the prescriptions issued by the doctors for the sale of such medicines.
When selling medicines a second time on the same prescription, they must ensure that the prescription carries the doctor’s instructions to this effect.In case violations come to light, the departments have been asked to take steps against the shop owner and the pharmacist and inform the Pharmacy Council.