Mayabunder, July 2: The 18th meeting of Andaman and 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, where 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 20th June, 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 member 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.
In this connection, Smti Nalni, Drug Inspector, assisting the Licensing authority in the implementation of various provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, conducted surprise narcotic inspection at private pharmacies of North and Middle Andaman along with officials of Social Welfare Department Mayabunder, PS Rangat, PS Billiground and PS Diglipur on 26th and 27th June, 2025.
Awareness meeting was organized with private pharmacy owners and pharmacists at PS Rangat and PS Diglipur and discussions were held in detail with the stakeholders regarding various conditions of retail drug license. They were advised to ensure 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. The meeting concluded with the ‘Anti-Narcotic Pledge’. The general public have been requested, to pass the information to the Health Department over Phone Number 9434266561, if any drug abuse is noticed in and around the retail pharmacy stores.