Telangana Drugs Wing Issues Notices to 158 Medical Shops Over Habit-Forming Drugs

HYDERABAD — The TG SAFE drugs wing has detected violations at 158 medical shops across Telangana during a special enforcement drive targeting the unauthorised sale of habit-forming drugs. Show-cause notices have been issued to all 158 establishments found flouting drug control regulations.

The statewide inspections focused on tracking the distribution and sale of several regulated medicines known for their potential for abuse. These included tramadol, pregabalin, nitrazepam, alprazolam, tapentadol, codeine-containing cough syrups, and zolpidem. Officials specifically inspected retail outlets to verify their compliance with statutory rules governing Schedule H1 and Schedule X pharmaceuticals.

During the drive, enforcement teams uncovered widespread procedural lapses and direct regulatory breaches. Multiple establishments were caught selling prescription-only medicines to consumers without valid prescriptions from registered medical practitioners. In several instances, medicines were being dispensed in the complete absence of a qualified registered pharmacist on the premises.

Inspectors also documented significant record-keeping failures across the penalised outlets. Establishments failed to issue or maintain proper sales bills for transactions involving these controlled substances. Furthermore, shops had neglected to maintain mandatory prescription registers as well as dedicated Schedule H1 drug registers, which are legally required to trace the movement and sale of sensitive medications.

Following the inspection drive, authorities issued show-cause notices to the 158 medical shops, directing them to explain the irregularities uncovered at their premises. Drug control officials warned that establishments failing to provide satisfactory responses face stringent regulatory action, including the suspension or complete cancellation of their retail drug licences.

The department reiterated that medicines falling under Schedule H, Schedule H1, and Schedule X must strictly be dispensed only upon presenting a valid prescription written by a registered medical practitioner. Officials cautioned that any illegal sale, diversion, or unauthorised supply of these drugs for non-therapeutic or abusive purposes will invite strict enforcement measures, including criminal prosecution under applicable laws.