Bhubaneswar: In a major step to ensure public health safety, the Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha intensified the statewide drive against illegal sale of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits, misuse of abortion pills, and unsafe self-medication.
Officials said that the drugs control directorate has been asked to adopt zero-tolerance approach and strictly crackdown unsafe and unregulated abortion activities.
Coordinated efforts among assistant controller of drugs, drug inspectors, police, law and order authorities are being carried on at field level in all the districts.
Enforcement teams are conducting raids on unauthorised sale of MTP kits, absence of pharmacists in drug stores, non-maintenance of prescription records regarding sale of MTP kits, illegal stocking etc as per the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. The department has very clearly instructed to prevent such illegal acts by unscrupulous shops or agents.
So far, more than 400 raids have been conducted in different districts of the state, and 234 violations have been detected. Simultaneously, the raid/inspection reports are being examined and show cause notices being issued.
Fifty-five shop owners have been issued show cause notice as pre-step towards prosecution. Two shops dealing with MTP kits and medicines without proper license have been seized and steps initiated for prosecution.
The authorities warned that stringent action will continue against the distributors, wholesalers and retailers violating the statutory provisions. Strict vigilance is also being maintained on habit-forming drugs, codeine -containing cough syrup and spurious drug rackets.
