Jharkhand High Court has passed a strict order that does not allow the sale of any cough syrup in the state without a valid doctor’s prescription. The order follows growing concern over abuse of some cough syrups and nationwide reports of contaminated formulations meeting serious health risks of those who consume them, especially children.
At a hearing on drug control and law and order, the High Court noted that some cough syrups, which were easily available over the counter, were being abused by young people as intoxicating drugs and dispensed without reasonable medical advice. The recent cases reported by other states where the children became seriously ill after taking the contaminated cough syrups also caught the attention of the court, and prompt action was taken to regulate this matter.
The bench in its order instructed the state health department, the drug control authorities and the district administrations to closely oversee the medical stores and make sure they are being complied with. The court directed the officials to undertake periodic inspections and raids, and an audit of stock registers in all pharmacies within the state. Any shop that is caught going against the directive will be dealt with legally, as the licence will be cancelled, and there is the risk of prosecution regarding drug control laws.
Other cases that were cited in the High Court were the recent rulings made by the state government to prohibit certain cough syrup brands after laboratory tests indicated that they contained dangerous chemicals. As some of the samples are still being tested, the court pointed out the necessity to take the necessary precautions to protect the health of the population until the final reports of these tests are accessible.
To citizens, the new order will imply that cough syrups, which include codeines and other antihistamines or other controlled substances, will cease to be sold without a due consultation with a certified medical practitioner. The prescription by doctors will be obliged even to the widely used formulations that were once readily available.
Health professionals are of the opinion that the ruling will contribute to less self-medication and abuse, as well as children and vulnerable populations will get the appropriate treatment. Pharmacies, in their turn, have been recommended to put the notices stating the necessity to have the prescription in a prominent place to ensure that customers notice them.
Within three weeks, the High Court has requested a comprehensive compliance report, asking the authorities to disseminate the order to a broad audience so that the chemists, as well as ordinary people, know about the rule. Following this instruction, Jharkhand is one of the few states that have taken such a firm position regarding cough syrup regulation as the country keeps taking a closer look at the issue.
It is believed that the move will have a lasting effect on the quality of drug safety and could provoke similar steps by other states in case the issues of cough syrup misuse and contamination develop further.
