Many chemists cut down on Codeine-based syrup stock
Representational image
Hyderabad: The Drug Control Authority is finally tackling the menace of cough syrup abuse by pressuring major drug firms to police the sale of their products. Constant checks are being done since March 2015, though retailers are upset because of the action being taken against them. The sale of cough syrups now requires noting the name of the patient, taking a photocopy of the prescription and also the address and telephone number. If these details are missing, chemists are booked for illegal sale of cough syrups and have to shut shop for three days as punishment.
President of Andhra Pradesh Chemists’ Association, Ramesh Gupta said, “The sale of these products have become a headache for chemists. We are now only keeping limited stock of cough syrups and only those who come with valid, present dated prescriptions are given the medicine. We are even requesting known customers to get prescriptions as otherwise drug control inspectors take it as an illegal sale.”
The chemists stated that earlier each store in Hyderabad would sell 10 bottles of cough syrup in a day, but now they were selling 10 bottles a month. Due to this only limited stocks of various brands are stocked. President of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, J.S. Shinde, said, “Retailers are being badly pulled up for selling cough syrups. For us, it is becoming a liability as there are constant checks and if a single paper is misplaced or not recorded properly, we are forced to shut shop. At the same time, those who are addicted come to the shop and fight with us. There are 143 brands of codeine available in the market and hence we are asking retailers to stock minimum products. Unlike earlier, large stocks are not being maintained.”
Codeine-based cough syrups are a major addiction and the drug controller has been insisting manufacturers to control supplies. A senior drug control officer said on condition of anonymity, “We are asking manufacturers to sell one batch to only one wholesaler and also print labels stating where in India will the drug be sold. This way there is clarity which state is procuring the particular batch. This will be an ideal way of controlling it more effectively.”
City sees over 90% drop in sales:
Hyderabad has seen over 90 per cent reduction in the sale of cough syrups over the last few months thanks to strict vigilance by the DGCI, which is taking each unaccounted for sale as illegal. In 2014, IMS Health had stated that there was a significant reduction – by 15 per cent – in the sale of cough syrups in India. This had put the major manufacturers in a dilemma as they are now limiting their production units to only half of their batch sizes.
The major manufacturers of cough syrups in India are Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer and Cipla, who supply to a chain of wholesalers and eight lakh retailers in India. In August 2013, there were 121 million bottles of cough syrup sold in India, since when there has been a slow but significant drop due to the constant vigil by DGCI.
Dr Akun Sabharwal, director Drugs Control Administration said, “Our concern is non-therapeutic usage of the drug. For this reason, a constant and stringent action is being directed.”
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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