Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Oct 16: The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on violations of drug laws, with the Drugs Wing of the Food and Drugs Administration conducting 16,788 inspections between April 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
During this period, medicines worth Rs 20.64 crore were seized from 214 licensed and unlicensed firms. The licences of 520 chemists were suspended and those of 22 others cancelled for violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945.
The inspections were carried out as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement and curb the misuse of medicines, following directions from Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh.
Authorities instituted 54 court cases against defaulters during the period, while 35 cases resulted in convictions and fines. Another 650 cases are currently under trial in district courts across the state.
In a move to control the misuse of habit-forming medicines, the Government of India has included Pregabalin under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, through notification G.S.R. 377(E), dated May 13, 2026. The provision will come into force on November 12, 2026.
Pregabalin was not previously covered under any schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act or the Drugs Rules. The Punjab government had repeatedly urged the Centre to introduce regulatory measures to address its misuse.
The state government has also raised concerns with the Union Health Minister over the lack of rules governing the online sale of medicines through e-pharmacies. According to the state, medicines that can be misused for intoxication continue to be available online, making enforcement more difficult.
Punjab has restricted the stocking for sale of eight types of drug formulations in the state. However, the absence of a regulatory framework for online medicine sales remains a challenge in curbing the misuse of habit-forming drugs.
The state government has also taken up the issue of high medicine prices and price variations among products manufactured by different companies despite containing the same active pharmaceutical ingredient.
The Punjab government reiterated its commitment to taking proactive measures to protect public health and strengthen enforcement of drug laws across the state.