Chandigarh
To curb the misuse of medical intoxicants in Haryana, the state government has issued various directions, including preparation of periodic reports, about the sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances used by addicts. According to the directions issued by the state drugs controller, food and drugs administration (FDA) department, all wholesalers and authorized stockists would have to submit a monthly report of procurement, stock, sale of such intoxicants to the drug control officers of their area by the fifth day of every month via e-mail. The drugs control officers have been told to verify the reports submitted to them and share them with their colleagues for further verification. The state government has also prohibited the sale of formulations containing diphenoxylate HCL and its combinations in the state under Section 26-A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act , 1940.These decisions have been taken by the state government following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court to ensure that the drugs used by addicts, will not be easily available at medical stores. These directions were passed during the hearing of a case pertaining to drug abuse in Punjab. Observing that the problem of drug abuse was also prevalent in Haryana, Justice Surya Kant had directed the the state government to inform the HC about the steps taken to control the drug menace. Further raising questions over sale of pharmaceutical drugs at various chemist shops in the state illegally, the HC had observed that there appeared to be no coordination between drug controllers and the police to check that.
