Gujarat's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) inspected 213 medical stores and pharmacies across the state between October 6 and 12, and the Food and Drugs Department issued 25 notices for regulatory compliance during the exercise, officials said, in a drive aimed at preventing the illegal sale, storage and distribution of narcotic substances and NDPS-related medicines and their misuse, IANS reported.

Source: IANS

The inspections were carried out by the ANTF's zones and its Surveillance headquarters in Gandhinagar, following instructions from senior officials. Officials examined compliance with the rules and procedures governing the sale and distribution of medicines at the establishments inspected.

Of the 213 establishments checked, the Surveillance headquarters in Gandhinagar accounted for the highest number at 64, followed by the Vadodara zone with 43, the Rajkot zone with 36, the Border zone with 32, the Ahmedabad zone with 23 and the Surat zone with 15. Of the 25 notices issued by the Food and Drugs Department, 11 were in the Ahmedabad zone, 10 in the Surat zone and four in the Surveillance headquarters zone in Gandhinagar, according to officials.

Source: Nation Press

Officials said the latest inspections follow earlier statewide efforts to curb the misuse and illegal sale of narcotic and psychotropic medicines, recalling a previous drive in which Gujarat Police inspected 7,575 medical stores with the Food and Drugs Control Administration, focusing on prescription requirements and restrictions on the sale of controlled medicines.

"Such inspections and surveillance would continue to prevent the illegal trade and misuse of narcotic substances and NDPS-related medicines across Gujarat," officials added, according to the report.