Why do so many chemists throw caution to wind while selling Schedule-H drugs without prescription?
In order to earn money, chemists forget their social responsibility. Most of them do not care to ask for prescription and sell these drugs without a cash memo and therefore are liable to punished under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. As per the rules, all Schedule-H drugs should be sold with proper medical prescription.

What are the major discrepancies that you have observed in different districts?
The people sitting at the counter and selling drugs in stores are generally not qualified pharmacists. While all other drugs or over-the-counter items can be sold by anybody, only a registered and qualified pharmacist is allowed to sell the drugs falling under Schedule H.

The health minister has shown keen interest in launching an operation against defaulters. How far is it possible to control such malpractice?
The department has been quite stringent with such defaulters who are promoting drug abuse and manufacturers involved in producing spurious drugs. Besides, we can curb the drug menace when there is a high level of awareness among the people as well as chemists.

Which are the drugs misused the most by customers?
The state has become infamous for drug abuse and this is the reason why the health ministry has ordered a crackdown on those found violating the rules. Mostly, it is formulations of dexopropoxyphen hydrochloride, pentazocin or codeine are generally misused.