New Delhi, drugs The central government has classified several drugs as narcotics and psychotropic substances, including pain relievers, anti-anxiety drugs and sedatives, as part of the action against substance abuse.
These medications include the pain-relieving drug isotonicazine; Diphenidine, used to treat neurotoxic injuries; Clonazolam, used to control seizures in patients with epilepsy; the anti-anxiety drug diclazepam; and the sedative flubromazolam, according to a government notification.
These drugs will not be available over the counter or in the hospital after their reclassification. In addition, any pharmacy selling these drugs can be booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.
Queries sent to the Health Ministry remained unanswered till press time.
“These drugs do not have much treatment value and can lead to addiction. So this is the right move. But now, with this notification, if anyone tries to sell these drugs, they will be booked under NDPS Act. Dr Atul Ambekar, Professor, National Drug Dependence Treatment Center at AIIMS, New Delhi, said.
The reclassification of these drugs in India follows the listing of psychotropic substances by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. “Last year, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs decided to place these eight substances under international control. It is the responsibility of the WHO to investigate and recommend various substances for scheduling. Following the WHO recommendation, the United Nations on Narcotic Drugs The commission decides whether to accept or reject the recommendation. Generally, the commission accepts the recommendations of the WHO.’
According to a report jointly published by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS, around 2.5 million people in the country were addicted to pharmaceutical opioids in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association has directed its member companies to ensure compliance.
Chennai-based psychiatrist Dr. Srinivasa Rajkumar T. said that the government has taken the right steps to control these drugs.
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