The Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government and the drug controller to put an immediate stop to the sale of cough syrups and other psychotropic substances without valid medical prescriptions.
A division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar passed the order on Wednesday while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sunil Kumar Mahto, who highlighted rampant illegal sale of such medicines in Ranchi.
Mahto informed the court that several medical shops in the state capital were selling cough syrups and other intoxicating drugs without prescriptions, and that these substances were increasingly being consumed by school students, causing serious physical and mental health issues.
Taking note of the concerns, the bench directed the state drug controller to ensure that no medical store sells cough syrups or other intoxicating formulations without proper prescription. The court further instructed the drug controller to conduct regular raids and check the stock of medicines available with stores as well as pharmaceutical companies operating across the state.
The state government has been asked to file a compliance report detailing the steps taken pursuant to the court’s directions. The matter will be heard next on December 12.
