The Delhi government’s health department sent written request to the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) to stop the over-the-counter sale of nicotine gums and lozenges without an authorized prescription. Dr. SK Arora in a letter addressing Dr. GN Singh, additional director (Health) said nicotine have potential addiction property and people can use like a drug in the form of gums and lozenges which were being sold at medical shops over the counter without any prescription.
During counseling, motivation and behavioral therapy, People addicted to a small percentage of moderate tobacco users may require these drugs as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) under the supervision of qualified counsellors. But the selling of these drugs over the counter without any prescription promotes malpractices and self-therapy, it may lead to merely shifting the person from one addiction to another, the letter read.
Dr. Arora said the youngsters who can’t use tobacco products directly due to social or family fear may easily use them, s they should stop selling over counters.
