New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS): The Delhi government on Tuesday ordered a ban on the sale of all blood-thinning medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen without prescription in the national capital.

"Today (Tuesday) the government decided to ban the sale of all blood-thinning medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen without prescription. The ban will be effective from today (Tuesday) itself," Health Minister Satyendra Jain said.

He said the decision was taken to control the use of such pills in the wake of rising dengue cases in the capital.

"It has been observed that people consume medicines without consulting doctors, thereby increasing the chances of bleeding and destruction of platelets in human blood which many a times turn fatal in dengue cases," he said.

"Therefore, we advise chemists to sell these pills only against prescription by registered medical practitioners."

The minister also advised chemists to keep records of stocks of drugs from the aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac groups.

"Stern action will be taken against those found violating the order," Jain added.