DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (MExN): The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has expressed deep concern over the Central government’s proposal to permit the sale of Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs without a license in India.
In a memorandum submitted to the Health Minister, Principal Health Secretary, Drug Controller General of India, Director General of Health Services, Chairman of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPRA), and other relevant authorities, AOICD highlighted the significant risks associated with the proposal.
AIOCD emphasized that such a move would contravene existing drug laws, pharmacy regulations, and pertinent legal frameworks, including directives from the Supreme Court.
Allowing OTC drug sales without proper regulations poses serious threats, including but not limited to dangerous self-medication and drug abuse, absence of pharmacist consultation services, increased risk of adverse drug reactions, proliferation of counterfeit drugs, delayed access to healthcare services, higher incidence of diseases due to medication overdose, compromised standards of medication storage and inadequate pharmacovigilance measures, it elaborated.
It has, therefore, urged the government to consider the multifaceted implications of this proposal, emphasizing that unregulated availability of medications in general and grocery stores does not serve the best interest of society.
With a membership comprising of 12.40 lakh chemists across the country, the AIOCD said it oppose any measure that undermines the integrity of the healthcare system while stressing on the importance of consulting all relevant stakeholders, including AIOCD, in the formulation of regulations pertaining to the matter.
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