The Hindu Business Line : Psychotropic drugs — Retail chemists not our target, says NCB

THE Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has sought to clear the air over its intensification of countrywide raids with regard to the abuse of psychotropic drugs.

"We are not targeting the retail chemist and don't want to cause any panic in the market or harm to the consumer," Ms Alka Tyagi, NCB's Zonal Director (Western Region), categorically told Business Line.

The Centre is weighing different issues raised by chemists and traders and a decision is likely in a couple of days, she said. "We are signatory to several international conventions and our raids are only to make India a drug-free country," she added.

The NCB is concerned about the large-scale diversion of psychotropic medicines into illicit channels for destinations such as Dubai, Pakistan, Nepal and Nigeria.

It is only targeting cases where an abuse has been reported and investigations down the line identify where the diversion has actually taken place, she said.

"The raids are only conducted on people with the capacity to divert. Sale of a cough syrup by a retail chemist will not result in a raid by the NCB," she added.

Ms Tyagi's statement comes even as chemists across the country called a temporary truce on their decision to not stock psychotropic drugs in the market. Earlier this month, retail chemists and druggists had decided to not stock these drugs, fearing raids from the NCB. They had threatened to intensify the stir from last Thursday, but decided to defer this decision to later this month, following a marathon meeting with the NCB last week.

The NCB has also sounded out the Drug Controller General of India on having cautionary labels on psychotropic drugs. "The warnings are to ward off semi-innocent and semi-literate people from getting coerced into doing anything illegal. On seeing the warning, they will think twice," she said.

On the contentious Form 6, she said, it is no more than a consignment note and contrary to complaints from distributors, it is not too much of paperwork.

"All we are saying is, there are rules and if companies, wholesalers and distributors stick to it, medicines will not get diverted into illegal channels," she pointed out.

Psychotropic drugs include sleeping and anxiety medicines and drugs in the central nervous system segment.

Last week, shortages were beginning to get reported from different parts of the country, with retailers freezing the purchase of these medicines from companies.

Chemist association representatives are hopeful that the impasse would be resolved this week.

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