Telangana DCA detects violations at 63 shops during special drive

Hyderabad: Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) on Thursday launched a special drive to curb the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs and certain prescription medicines.

DCA detected violations in 63 retail medical shops during the drive.

The raids were carried out at retail medical shops across the State, with a special focus on Hyderabad and surrounding areas, DCA said in a release.

The inspections aimed to detect the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs, including codeine-containing cough syrups, Nitrazepam, Alprazolam, Tramadol, Zolpidem, Tapentadol (Tydol), and other regulated medicines.

Focus on schedule H1 and schedule X drugs.

The DCA stated that special emphasis was laid on checking the indiscriminate sale of drugs classified under Schedule H1 and Schedule X of the Drugs Rules.

Habit-forming drugs under Schedule H1 include Alprazolam, Buprenorphine, Chlordiazepoxide, Codeine, Diazepam, Nitrazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol, Zolpidem, and Tapentadol.

Drugs listed under Schedule X include Amobarbital, Glutethimide, Pentobarbital, Ketamine Hydrochloride, Amphetamine, Meprobamate, Phencyclidine, Barbital, Methamphetamine, Phenometrazine, Cyclobarbital, Dextroamphetamine, Methylphenidate, Secobarbital, Ethchlorvynol, and Methylphenobarbital.

Prescription injections under scrutiny

The raids also focused on the illegal sale of certain prescription injections such as Mephentermine and Atracurium Besylate, following reports of abuse.

“The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, conducted a special drive on 18th December 2025 in retail medical shops in and around Hyderabad to detect the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs and certain prescription medicines… based on reports of abuse,” the press note said.

Violations detected during inspections

During the raids, officials detected multiple discrepancies at 63 retail medical shops. These included:

• Sale of habit-forming and prescription drugs without a valid prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner

• Sale of medicines without issuing bills

• Non-maintenance or failure to produce sales bills

• Failure to maintain prescription drug registers and Schedule H1 drug registers

• Dispensing prescription medicines in the absence of a Registered Pharmacist

• Failure to produce purchase bills

• Irregularities in maintaining copies of sales and purchase records

“The officers detected several violations related to the indiscriminate sale of habit-forming drugs and other prescription medicines,” the DCA noted.

Departmental action initiated

Show Cause Notices have been issued to all 63 medical shops found violating the Drugs Rules. The DCA stated that further action, including suspension or cancellation of drug licences, will be taken under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules made thereunder.

Coordination with police

The DCA said it is working closely with the Police Department to curb the misuse of prescription medicines.

“The officers of the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, are coordinating closely with the Police Department to curb the misuse of prescription medicines, particularly habit-forming drugs,” the press note said.

Public urged to report violations

Members of the public have been urged to report complaints related to illegal sale, manufacture, or misuse of medicines, including narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Complaints can be reported to the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, through its toll-free number 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on all working days.