In a major enforcement drive, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra has taken stringent action against pharmacies in Nanded for illegal sales of prescription drugs. The regulatory body has cancelled the licences of 13 medical stores and suspended 32 others for flouting drug laws.
Widespread Violations Uncovered
The crackdown was part of a targeted drive by the FDA to curb the illegal sale of habit-forming and intoxicant tablets. According to Assistant Commissioner (Drugs) AT Rathod, the agency had issued show-cause notices to a total of 48 medical stores in the district. The action was announced in an official release on Wednesday, 18 December 2025.
The primary violations cited were the sale of intoxicant tablets without a valid doctor's prescription. This practice is a direct breach of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which strictly regulates the sale of scheduled drugs to prevent misuse and addiction. The FDA's move underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards pharmacies that operate as easy sources for addictive substances, bypassing medical oversight.
The Legal and Regulatory Backbone
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act mandates that certain categories of drugs, particularly psychotropic substances and potent painkillers, can only be dispensed against a legitimate prescription from a registered medical practitioner. The FDA's action in Nanded highlights a systemic effort to enforce this rule, which is often flouted for commercial gain.
Assistant Commissioner AT Rathod emphasized that the drive was aimed at protecting public health and safety. The sale of such drugs without prescription not only poses severe health risks to individuals but also contributes to the larger problem of substance abuse in society. The 48 stores that received notices were given an opportunity to explain their actions before the final penalties were decided.
Implications and Future Vigilance
The cancellation of a pharmacy's licence is the most severe administrative penalty, effectively shutting down its business. Suspension, on the other hand, is a temporary measure that can be revoked if the establishment complies with regulations. This decisive action sends a strong message to chemists and druggists across Maharashtra about the consequences of non-compliance.
The FDA has indicated that such surprise checks and enforcement drives will continue in Nanded and other districts. The goal is to create a deterrent effect and ensure that medical stores function as responsible healthcare outlets, not as unchecked vendors of potentially dangerous intoxicants. Public cooperation in reporting such illegal sales is also being encouraged to aid regulatory efforts.
This crackdown in Nanded is a significant step in the ongoing battle against the illicit drug trade and the misuse of prescription medications, marking a firm stance by Maharashtra's drug regulatory authority.
