In an effort to sensitize pharmacists and chemists on legal provisions under the law which include the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, NALSA’s DAWN initiative and to prevent misuse of drugs, especially Schedule H medicines and narcotics in the interest of public safety, the office of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District today organized a One Day Sensitization cum Capacity Building Training Programme on Regulation of Drug Sale for Pharmacists and Chemists of the district under the NALSA’s DAWN (Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation- for a Drug Free India) Scheme, 2025 at the Conference Hall of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat.
The programme was attended by Drugs Inspector, Jaintia Hills, Smti. DotsnilangTariang in the presence of Project Coordinator, (Meghalaya State Price Monitoring & Resource Unit), Shri MebatyngshainSiangshai, Panel Lawyer, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District, Mr. Presiding N Swer, Pharmacists, Chemists and others.
DrugsInspector, Jaintia Hills, Smti. DotsnilangTariang while addressing the gathering, highlighted key aspects of drug regulation and the responsibilities of license holders in the sale and distribution of medicines. She emphasized that every pharmacy and medical store must operate under a valid license obtained through proper application and timely renewal, noting that any delay beyond six months may not be accepted by the system.
She further stressed that the sale of medicines, particularly at the retail level, must be properly documented; including details such as the patient’s name and quantity of medicines dispensed. Expressing concern over the lack of proper sale records observed during inspections, she highlighted that antibiotics and medicines under Schedule H1 require strict record-keeping and cannot be sold without a valid prescription. She also cautioned that narcotic and psychotropic drugs must not be sold without proper authorization, as misuse can have serious legal and health consequences.
Highlighting the role of pharmacists, she stated that they must act not only as dispensers but also as counsellors, educating the public on the proper use of medicines. She added that the installation of CCTV systems in pharmacies is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability.
In addition, she underscored that medicines under Scheduled Categories must not be sold indiscriminately and that maintaining prescriptions and proper records is mandatory, urging all concerned to cooperate in safeguarding public health.
Project Coordinator, (Meghalaya State Price Monitoring & Resource Unit), Shri Mebatyngshain Siangshai in his address stated that the primary aim of the healthcare and pharmaceutical system is to save lives, emphasizing that medicines often become the only hope during times of illness. He highlighted that dedicated units are in place to monitor and guide the pricing of medicines so that they remain accessible and affordable to the public. He described pharmacists as one of the backbones of the healthcare system, playing a vital role in ensuring that people receive proper treatment and recover effectively.
He expressed concern over the misuse of prescription drugs and stressed that pharmacists must act responsibly while dispensing medicines. He noted that pharmacists should not simply sell medicines but also interact with patients, ask relevant questions and guide them towards the correct treatment.
Siangshai, while highlighting affordability issues, he pointed out that a significant number of people either do not purchase medicines, fail to complete full prescriptions or skip doses due to high costs. In such situations, he encouraged pharmacists to suggest suitable and more affordable alternatives whenever possible, ensuring that no patient is deprived of essential treatment.
He further emphasized the importance of ethical practices in pharmacies, including avoiding the sale of medicines without prescriptions and ensuring proper handling of expired drugs by prioritizing those nearing expiry or returning them in time. He also spoke about the need for vigilance in sensitive situations, such as when individuals seek items like syringes for potential misuse, urging pharmacists to counsel them responsibly. Referring to pricing regulations, he stated that Scheduled Medicines are regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, while Non-scheduled Medicines are priced by companies within reasonable limits. He encouraged both pharmacists and the public to remain aware of medicine prices and report any irregularities, reinforcing the collective responsibility of ensuring safe, affordable, and ethical healthcare practices.
