Kathmandu – The Department of Drug Administration has issued a warning notice regarding the sale and distribution of restricted medicines. The notice calls for the immediate cessation of such activities.
The notice was published after Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel implemented stricter regulations and procedures to address issues in the sale and distribution of medicines.
Complaints had been received about unregistered medicines, as well as medicines with mixed pharmaceutical formulations on doctor’s prescriptions, nutraceuticals, and medicines mixed with cosmetics. To curb these activities, the Department published the warning notice on 25th Poush.
The regulation process revealed that unregistered and restricted medicines were being recommended on doctor’s prescriptions, leading to adverse health impacts on citizens. The Department has informed doctors and medical pharmacies to stop the sale, distribution, and recommendation of such restricted medicines.
The Department has warned that legal action will be taken under the Drugs Act of 2035, including confiscation of restricted medicines, if the sale and distribution continue in violation of the notice. The Department also announced that regular monitoring will take place in the coming days.
The Department previously obtained a court order against the sale of products containing restricted vitamins and mixed minerals. A repeated warning has been issued, and action will be taken against those who violate the law, despite continuous notices.
Spokesperson Prakesh Budathoki stated that the Ministry is aware of grievances regarding the issue. Some doctors have been prescribing medicines containing excessive vitamins and minerals. As prescribing unregistered and restricted medicines is illegal, legal action will be taken against those involved in prescribing or selling such products, informed Director General Narayan Dhakal.