Following the WHO’s latest report on the burgeoning problem of antibiotic resistance in southeast Asia, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mahesh Zagade has urged chemists to comply with Schedule H1 on an urgent basis.“For the past 30 to 40 years, chemists have not been following Schedule H and Schedule X that state that drugs are to be sold only when prescribed by a registered medical practitioner. Hence, the need to introduce Schedule H1 was felt by the Union health and family welfare ministry with new provisions. I do not want this carelessness to go on and resistance to rise further,” said Mr Zagade.
Schedule H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act was introduced by the government of India early in March to check
indiscriminate use of antibiotics, anti-TB and some other drugs in the country. Schedule H1 includes 46 drugs for which chemists have to retain a copy of the prescription of every patient they sell them to. In addition, chemists have to maintain a separate register for these drugs, containing the name of the patient and details of the doctor who prescribed the drugs.
indiscriminate use of antibiotics, anti-TB and some other drugs in the country. Schedule H1 includes 46 drugs for which chemists have to retain a copy of the prescription of every patient they sell them to. In addition, chemists have to maintain a separate register for these drugs, containing the name of the patient and details of the doctor who prescribed the drugs.
The register has to be kept for three years before being destroyed. Besides, the drugs would be sold only on
prescription.This amendment to the act was made in lieu of the increasing virus resistance to these drugs which are mainly third and fourth generation antibiotics, anti-TB and certain habit-forming drugs.“The resistance against these drugs is rising to horrifying levels and the main culprit is the medicines. Many drugs have been sold without prescription even when it was a crime under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,” said Mr Zagade.
prescription.This amendment to the act was made in lieu of the increasing virus resistance to these drugs which are mainly third and fourth generation antibiotics, anti-TB and certain habit-forming drugs.“The resistance against these drugs is rising to horrifying levels and the main culprit is the medicines. Many drugs have been sold without prescription even when it was a crime under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,” said Mr Zagade.
Many of the chemists across Maharashtra are yet to follow the newly-amended schedule H1 effective from March 1, 2014 due to lack of awareness and cumbersome record keeping. “We are neither aware of it nor have we received any circulars from the authorities. Though we do not sell any medicine without prescription, we are not maintaining any register for the ones we are selling,” said a pharmacist.
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