Chemists directed not to dispense paracetamol-based drugs without doctors prescription

Mangaluru: In a bid to stop spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Karnataka Drugs Control department, Mangalore circle has on Saturday, April 18 instructed all retail chemists in Dakshina Kannada against dispensing paracetamol-based drugs (both prescriptive and OTC), for symptoms like cold, cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, to any person without the doctors prescription.

The directive, dated April 18 states that in case a chemist is dispensing paracetamol-based drugs without a doctors prescription, details of the patient such as his name, address, mobile number, name of the doctor etc must be recorded in the bill.

Strict action will be taken against those who do not adhere to the directive under Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940.

It is further stated that suspicious cases like cold, cough, fever, difficulty in breathing must be intimated to the Health Department.