Hyderabad: The Drug Control Authority (DCA) launched a major crackdown on illegal sales of Schedule H drugs and issued show-cause notices to 196 medical shops that sold restricted medicines without prescriptions. Officials said several outlets were openly selling higher-generation antibiotics and habit-forming drugs without any doctor’s advice.
They found that many pharmacies ignored key rules on prescription sales. Inspectors noted that shops failed to maintain Schedule H registers and allowed sales without the supervision of a registered pharmacist. They also checked billing records, GST compliance and purchase documentation, which exposed widespread violations.
Schedule H drug violations draw action from DCA
The inspections revealed routine sales of Schedule H drugs without proper verification, prompting the large-scale notice drive. Officials said such drugs required strict oversight due to their impact on public health and the risk of misuse. The DCA stated that pharmacies must follow all legal norms, especially for antibiotics and controlled medicines.
DCA DG Shahnawaz Qasim said action would be taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the relevant rules. He added that shops must respond to the notices and face penalties if they fail to comply with safety and regulatory standards.