Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh– The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Uttar Pradesh is facing mounting criticism for its inability to curb the illegal sale and smuggling of narcotic drugs, particularly codeine-based cough syrups and psychotropic substances, which are being trafficked to international markets, notably Bangladesh via West Bengal. Despite recent enforcement actions, systemic gaps in oversight continue to enable smugglers to exploit high demand abroad, exacerbating addiction crises.
On July 15-16, the Narcotics Bureau conducted raids in Lucknow, seizing 5,700 bottles of codeine syrup along with over 1.8 million tablets of highly addictive substances like alprazolam, tramadol, and clonazepam, classified under Schedule H-1 and X categories, which require strict prescription and record-keeping protocols. A subsequent bust on October 12 uncovered an additional 2,600 bottles of codeine syrup, but sales records accounted for only 1,000 bottles, raising alarms about untracked stock and potential black-market diversion.
Drug Controller Shashi Mohan defended the FSDA’s efforts, stating, “The only way to stop the illegal sale of narcotics drugs is to check the records of wholesale and retail sales after supply from the company. Investigations into the records of all seizures have been initiated.” However, an anonymous drug inspector highlighted the challenge, noting, “There is no ban on selling codeine syrup, but it is also used for intoxication,” pointing to the difficulty of balancing legitimate medical use with widespread abuse.
The FSDA has launched probes into the supply chain, from manufacturers to pharmacies, to trace discrepancies. Yet, experts warn that incomplete documentation and lax enforcement continue to facilitate smuggling, with these drugs fetching premium prices in international markets. The ongoing failures underscore the urgent need for stronger regulatory measures to disrupt illicit networks and protect public health in Uttar Pradesh.
