Sri Vijaya Puram, June 25: The 18th meeting of Andaman & Nicobar Anti-Narcotic Force (ANTF) was held on 27th May, 2025, under the chairmanship of Smti Sindhu Pillai A, IPS, Inspector General of Police, A&N Islands wherein she reiterated the significance and mandate of the constitution of the ANTF and the role of all the stakeholders in the fight against drugs in a coordinated manner in A&N Islands.
In this regard, an awareness meeting was held on June 20, 2025 in the conference hall of Directorate of Health Services under the chairmanship of Dr. Suja Antony, CMO (NFSG), Director of Health Services/ State Drug Controller with the members of Andaman and Nicobar Chemists and Druggists Association and other local Retail/Wholesale Pharmacy owner regarding measures to prevent and reduce drug abuse to make our UT drug-free.
The Chairperson discussed the various concerns raised by the Inspector General of Police (Intl. /CID) in the 18th meeting of ANTF specially the importance of conducting surprise inspections of pharmacies by drug inspectors to deter the unauthorized sale of drugs, including anti-TB medications without valid prescriptions. Furthermore, she emphasized that the sale of MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) pills in private shops without proper medical supervision poses a significant risk to the health of mothers.
Shri Jitendra Kumar Meena, IPS, Sr. Superintendent of Police (CID), emphasized the importance of joint efforts by all Departments and private pharmacies to prevent and reduce drug abuse among the youth and the general public of our Islands. He instructed private pharmacy owners and pharmacists to promptly notify the CID (Narcotics) of any suspected illegal activities occurring in or around their premises.
Dr. Ganesh Samadder, Deputy Director (Medical), expressed his concerns on the results of surprise inspections conducted by Drug Inspectors, which included sale of drugs by unauthorized person, improper management of records of drugs like Schedule H & H1 drugs register with prescription copies, sale of sedative drugs including cough-syrup, Alprazolam, Nitrazepam, Clonazepam, Diazepam etc., and about repeated dispensing of medications based on a single prescription.
Shri Ashok Biswas, Nodal Officer (Prohibition), Directorate of Social Welfare stated that if any suspicious activity among young children is noticed, information may be passed on to the Social Welfare Department over phone number 03192-244386, 9933283106.
Shri Vivek Mishra, President of A&N Chemists and Druggist Association assured that all the members of the Association would extend their full support to the Department to reduce drug abuse in the UT.
Smti Sarbani Dass, Shri R. Thiban Raj and Dr. M. Sudhi, Drug Inspectors, assisting the Licensing authority in the implementation of various provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, discussed in detail with the stakeholders regarding various conditions of retail drug license and advised for the proper maintenance of Schedule H&H1 drug register, mandatory installations of CCTV camera with backup of minimum 30 days, proper display of the Drug license issued. The officials also emphasized on section 42(a) of Pharmacy Act, 1948 and Rules 65 of D&C rules, 1945 and advised the stakeholders not to run a pharmacy shop without Pharmacists. Lastly, the meeting concluded with the “Anti-Narcotic Pledge” and Awareness Bike Rally, jointly flagged off by the Director of Health Services and Sr. Superintendent of Police (CID), A&N Islands.
The general public have been requested to pass information to the Health Department at phone number 9434266561, if any drug abuse is noticed in and around the retail pharmacy stores.