TG SAFE Issues Notices to 158 Medical Shops Over Habit-Forming Drugs

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has issued show-cause notices to 158 medical shops following a special enforcement drive across the State on Wednesday. The inspection targeted pharmacies over the unauthorised sale of habit-forming and controlled medicines.

According to officials, the statewide drive focused on checking the illicit supply of several specific pharmaceutical formulations. The targeted medications included Tramadol, Pregabalin-containing formulations, Nitrazepam, Alprazolam, Tapentadol, Codeine-containing cough syrups, and Zolpidem.

A primary violation detected across multiple premises was the sale of these prescription-only medicines without an authorised prescription from a registered medical practitioner. The enforcement teams identified serious lapses in compliance with regulatory dispensing norms.

Inspectors also uncovered extensive procedural and bookkeeping lapses during the checks. Violations included the failure to issue bills to consumers, alongside the non-maintenance or failure to produce basic sales and purchase bills to enforcement officers.

Additionally, several outlets were found operating without maintaining mandatory prescription registers and Schedule H1 registers. Authorities also discovered that prescription medicines were being actively dispensed in the absence of a registered pharmacist on site.

Following the crackdown, the enforcement agency called on citizens to assist in identifying unauthorized sales. Members of the public can report suspected illegal activities involving medicines, including narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, directly to the TG SAFE drugs wing.

Reports can be lodged through the department's dedicated toll-free helpline number, 1800 599 6969. The helpline is accessible to the public from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days.