Govt on restriction of sale, stocking of drugs

In view of the prevailing social menace of drug abuse and trafficking of pharmaceuticals in Nagaland, the state government has reiterated its September 17, 2012 circular restricting sales, distribution and stocking of listed category of drugs in any formulation, irrespective of its dosage forms, within the State of Nagaland with effect from the date of issue of this notification.
According to the notification issued by commissioner and secretary Y. Kikheto Sema, the listed category of drugs include– codeine and its salts, psychotropic substances, tramadol, ketamine, pentazocine and pseudoephedrine.
Permissible quantities per month in a licensed premises (irrespective of manufactured brands):-
Category-1 (Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung) wholesale– Oral liquids: 5000 phials, solid dosage: 10,000 tablets and injectables 1000 vials/ampoules.
Retails– oral liquids: 50 phials, solid dosage: 200 tablets and injectables: 10 vials/ampoules.
Category-2 (all other districts) wholesale– oral liquids: 1000 phials, solid dosage: 3,000 tablets and injectables: 500 vials/ampoule.
Retails– oral liquids: 30 phials, solid dosage: 200 tablets and injectables: 10 vials/ampoules.
It further said that maximum limit is for each active ingredient, (eg. Maximum limit of Codiene based cough Syrup for all brands together is 5000 Phials for Category-I and 1000 Phials for Category-2).
Conditions: (i) Indent certificates for restricted drugs shall be obtain from the authority of Drugs Control Administration attached to Chief Medical Officer Office of the District.
(ii) Wholesale dealers shall sell such restricted products to only licensed retailers on production of original copy of the indent certificate issued by the concern Drugs Control Authority.
(iii) The licensee, both wholesaler and retailer, shall purchase/sale such products only from a duly licensed dealer and not otherwise.
(iv) Every licensee shall maintain separate register/ record of purchase and sale of such products and shall be opened for inspection by the Drugs Control officers as required under Rule-65 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945.
(v) Indent shall be issued / approved subject to compliance of provisions of Drugs and Cosmetic Act & Rules.
Seizures and legal proceedings: (i) Raids and seizures against licensed premises (Pharmacies) in violation of this notification shall be made by or in the presence of the Drugs Control Authority only, as empowered under Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940 and Rules made thereunder.
(ii) Raids, seizures and arrests made against licensee outside licensed premises.
(iii) Or in transit by any other law enforcement agencies including Police, Custom, Excise and other Arm Forces shall forthwith forward the case to the Drugs Control Administration, Department of Health and Family welfare, being the Nodal Agency under Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940 and Rules 1945 and empowered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 for administrative and/or legal action.