Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Oct 19: The Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association (TNCDA) has directed pharmacies across the state not to sell fever medicines, painkillers and other specified drugs without a valid prescription, citing concerns over rising health complaints during the northeast monsoon.

In a circular issued on Saturday, the association, which has around 40,000 members across Tamil Nadu, urged chemists to advise people experiencing fever to consult a doctor rather than resort to self-medication.

TNCDA general secretary G Ashok said the directive aims to prevent complications arising from the indiscriminate use of medicines during the dengue season. He added that the association issues such circulars every year and had also raised awareness about the issue during its recent meeting.

The association has instructed its district-level bodies to conduct awareness programmes and coordinate with drugs control and health authorities to prevent the misuse of medicines.

The circular specifically warns against using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac, ibuprofen and nimesulide, in suspected dengue cases, as these medicines can increase the risk of severe bleeding. Health Secretary Darez Ahamed had also recently advised pharmacists against dispensing such medicines without a medical prescription.

Chemists have further been directed not to sell antibiotics, codeine-containing cough syrups, sedatives, psychotropic substances and other habit-forming drugs without prescriptions, in accordance with regulations.

Dr Janani Sankar, medical director of Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital, said flu cases had declined, while dengue and typhoid cases were increasing.

She advised people to avoid unhygienic food during the monsoon and maintain proper hand hygiene. She also stressed the importance of keeping surroundings clean and preventing water stagnation, which can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit dengue.