Port Blair, April 28: The Andaman Nicobar Chemist & Druggist Association (ANCDA) have expressed deep concern over the Central Government's proposal to permit the sale of Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs without a license in India.

ANCDA President, Vivek Kumar Misra, and General Secretary, PK Anish emphasized that such a move would contravene existing drug laws, pharmacy regulations, and pertinent legal frameworks, including directives from the Honorable Supreme Court.

The Association’s President said that allowing OTC drug sales without proper regulation poses serious threats, including but not limited to:

-Dangerous self-medication and drug abuse

-Absence of pharmacist consultation services

-Increased risk of adverse drug reactions

-Proliferation of counterfeit drugs

-Delayed access to healthcare services

-Higher incidence of diseases due to medication overdose

-Compromised standards of medication storage        

-Inadequate pharmacovigilance measures 

Vivek Kumar Misra also informed that the Association’s apex body, the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) highlights the significant risks associated with this proposal and a memorandum submitted to the Health Minister, Principal Health Secretary, Drug Controller General of India, Director General of Health Services, Chairman of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), and other relevant authorities,

ANCDA has urged the government to consider the multifaceted implications of this proposal, emphasizing that unregulated availability of medications in general and grocery stores does not serve the best interests of society.

With a membership comprising 12.40 lac chemists across the nation, AIOCD firmly opposes any measure that undermines the integrity of the healthcare system.

ANCDA stresses the importance of consulting all relevant stakeholders, including AIOCD, in the formulation of regulations pertaining to this matter.