The latest wonder drug for ‘Udta Punjab’, is the neurological pacifier ‘Pregabalin’ which offlate has become a hot favourite with youths entangled in substance abuse, largely in Punjab. The Food and Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing, Punjab), Government of Punjab is aware about increasing misuse and trafficking of pharmaceutical drug ‘Pregabalin’.
As per a statement tabled in Lok Sabha by Union minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, during the period January 01, 2024 and December 31, 2024, the Food & Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing), Government of Punjab, had seized drug formulations containing Pregabalin from 72 premises/firms, amounting to Rs 5,97,09,785. Also, the licenses of 12 firms were cancelled, licenses of 46 firms had been suspended and 11 complaints have been filed in the different courts.
The Food & Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing), Government of Punjab through a letter dated February 28, 2025 had issued instructions to the drugs manufacturer, Clearing and Forwarding agents (C&FAs), wholesale chemists & retail sale chemists of Punjab to mandatorily submit information regarding the sale or purchase of Pregabalin & other 06 types of drugs over & above sale and purchase of fixed limit in a single invoice to the drugs control officers of concerned area.
The regulatory control over sale and distribution of drugs is exercised through a system of licensing and inspection by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by State Government. SLAs are empowered to take action in case of violation of regulatory provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945.
Isolated complaints are received from time to time on the sale of prescription drugs without prescription and the same are forwarded to the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) concerned for appropriate action.
As per the Union minister Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under Section 7 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 is the advisory committee to advise the Central Government, the State Government and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) on any matter tending to secure uniformity throughout India in the administration of the said Act.
The DCC in its 65th meeting held on December 20, 2024 had deliberated over the matter related to misuse of Pregabalin and its preparation and its inclusion in Schedule H1 of Drugs Rules, 1945 to monitor the sale of drugs only on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP).
