Sale of steroids and blood thinners without prescription prohibited in Khammam

Khammam: Khammam district collector R.V. Karnan has warned chemists, druggists and pharmacists against sale of steroids, anticoagulants, antibiotics, blood thinners and anti-viral medicines as also scheduled drugs without prescription.

“Every chemist should follow the guidelines on dispensing of Covid-19 medicines during the pandemic situation. People treating themselves without consulting doctors should be discouraged. It would affect their health. Some people are buying medicines after reading misleading WhatsApp messages,” he said.

At a virtual meeting with the chemists and druggists, the collector asked them to follow the Covid guidelines strictly.

If chemists find that someone is selling life-support drugs for Covid-19 in the black market, they should inform the police on toll-free 1077 and 100.
Remdesivir and amphotericin-B drugs should be sold only to the patients undergoing treatment in hospitals. Doctors in private and government hospitals must write the names of the medicines clearly and avoid any ambiguity in it.

Pharmacists should explain to patients about the use of medicines. Action will be taken against pharmacists selling drugs at prices higher than the MRP, he said.

Drug inspectors should visit chemist shops and ensure there are no rule violations. “Pharmacists should check expiry date before selling medicines. They should be ready to deliver the medicines at the door-steps in case the patient cannot visit the store. Employees at pharmacies should wear identity cards and sanitizer should be available at the counter for customers.

Shop owners should use plastic body cover and avoid direct interaction with customers.

Collector Karnan said Covid care centres have been functional at eight places including the Sarada Institute of Technology, the YTC Centre, Maddulapalli, the SBCE college and the minority welfare residential college. The government has made available 1,100 remdesivir vials at 37 government hospitals in all the mandals of Khammam district, he said.