The All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) has pledged its support to the Kerala government's Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt, saying pharmacists across the state are prepared to work alongside the Drug Control Department, police and excise department in the fight against drug abuse. The association also put forward a series of recommendations that it believes would strengthen the state's anti-drug campaign and curb the misuse of medicines.
AKCDA calls for stronger safeguards
Among its key demands is stricter enforcement of prescription norms. The association urged the Health Department to ensure that doctors write prescriptions legibly, preferably in capital letters, and prescribe medicines using their generic names, in accordance with the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. It said poor compliance with these norms often creates confusion for pharmacists and increases the risk of dispensing errors.
AKCDA reiterated that antibiotics and other prescription medicines should not be dispensed on the basis of illegible prescriptions and said it has already instructed its members to refuse such prescriptions. Posters conveying this message have also been displayed in medical stores across the state.
The association also sought tighter regulation of medicines with the potential for misuse. It noted that pharmacies already verify prescriptions and maintain records while dispensing sleeping pills, sedatives and other controlled medicines, but argued that enforcement should be strengthened further. Referring to cough syrups that were once widely available over the counter before restrictions were tightened following reports of misuse, AKCDA said similar vigilance is required for other medicines that could be abused.
It further called for stricter quality checks on medicines entering Kerala from other states, saying their authenticity should be verified before they reach consumers. Among its other demands were ensuring that pharmaceutical manufacturers supply medicines only through authorised distributors, strengthening quality testing of medicines and strictly implementing the court order prohibiting the display of discount boards outside medical shops.
Flagging suspicious buying patterns
Explaining why pharmacists can play an important role in Operation Toofan, AKCDA said retail medical stores are often the first point at which suspicious purchasing patterns become apparent.
The association cited instances where young people purchase over-the-counter eye drops to conceal eye redness allegedly caused by drug use. A sudden increase in demand for such products, particularly from people who are not regular customers or have no history of eye ailments, could indicate possible misuse, it said.
Similarly, attempts to buy multiple syringes from different pharmacies have previously been flagged by retailers. According to AKCDA, such incidents are routinely shared among pharmacy owners through WhatsApp groups, allowing members to alert one another and, where necessary, inform the police or other enforcement agencies.
The association said it intends to continue acting as an ally to the government by sharing such information with authorities and supporting Operation Toofan through its network of pharmacies across the state.
State President A.N. Mohan, General Secretary Antony Tharyan, Treasurer Anwar, and other office-bearers attended the press meet.
