With over the counter (OTC) drugs and self-medication posing a major challenge in the management of fever cases, especially dengue, the Drugs Control Department has joined hands with pharmacists to put an end to the practice that causes more than offering a cure.
Officials here said the drug inspectors are keeping strict vigil on more than 5,000 pharmacies in Coimbatore zone, comprising Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirupur and Erode districts.
“The initiative has been taken to support the Health Department in fever and dengue management. Druggists have been directed not to sell even paracetamol, widely regarded as a household drug, without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Pharmacy owners have extended support by putting up the banners,” said a senior official from Drugs Control Department from Coimbatore.
All the pharmacies in the zone have put up banners that clearly state that no drug would be dispensed over-the-counter. The banners also advise the public to consult a registered medical practitioner on the right drugs to be taken. According to pharmacists, drugs for fever and associated conditions such as cold and body ache are the most sought after ones as OTC medicines.
“A person with fever might get a symptomatic relief after consuming the OTC drug given by chemists. But the underlying conditions are unknown and not cured. If the real infection is dengue, vital indicators like platelet count will drop. The person's life will be at risk when he or she finally seeks treatment at a hospital after three or four days of OTC drugs, the official said.
According to officials, 13 drug inspectors are monitoring pharmacies. They are also collecting information from other sources to ensure the enforcement.
“We have taken up the enforcement seriously. Action was taken recently against 12 pharmacies that were found erring on this count,” said a senior official of Drugs Control Department from Coimbatore. A. Thirunavukkarasu, district secretary of District Chemists and Druggists Association, said that all the pharmacies were extending support to the department's initiative in stopping OTC sale of drugs. “We have held meetings at area levels where association members were educated on this issue. All have extended cooperation,” he said. Quoting pharmacists, Drugs Control officials said that while a section of the public lauded the initiative, many were unhappy over the restrictions. At some places, chemists faced the anger of the public who wanted drugs without prescription.
