Puducherry cracks down on private chemists selling Anti-TB drugs illegally

Jul 8, 2025

Anti-TB drugs, Drug regulatory action, Tuberculosis treatment compliance, Public health and safety
Anti-TB drugs, Drug regulatory action, Tuberculosis treatment compliance, Public health and safety

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The Puducherry administration has intensified efforts to curb the illegal sale of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs by private chemists. This move follows sustained complaints of non-compliance with regulations prohibiting the sale of anti-TB drugs outside government-approved sources.

Key highlights

Enforcement actions

  • Joint raids conducted by the State TB Cell and the Department of Drugs Control.

  • Inspections targeted private chemists involved in illegal sales of anti-TB drugs.

  • Efforts to prevent unauthorized sales and sensitize chemists on public health risks.

Regulatory background

  • Anti-TB drugs banned from sale in private pharmacies under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

  • The ban, initiated in 2017, aims to reduce the risk of drug-resistant TB and ensure treatment adherence.

  • The sale of anti-TB drugs through private channels risks non-completion of drug intake, leading to potential MDR-TB cases.

Awareness and sensitization

  • Private practitioners in Puducherry now actively report TB cases to the State TB Officer (STO).

  • Sensitization campaigns and educational meetings with pharmacists and chemists.

  • Efforts have led to a significant decline in private sales of anti-TB drugs.

Prosecution and progress

  • Eight joint raids conducted in the past two months, with one chemist prosecuted for violations.

  • The initiative has helped ensure that all TB patients are notified and receive free treatment from government sources.

  • Puducherry’s TB incidence reduced by 59% since 2015, with advanced screening and diagnostic tools in use.

The crackdown on illegal anti-TB drug sales in Puducherry is part of a broader strategy to reduce the incidence of TB and combat Multi-Drug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB). The ongoing efforts aim to ensure strict compliance with treatment protocols, safeguard public health, and support the government’s TB elimination goals.

Anti-TB drugs
Drug regulatory action
Tuberculosis treatment compliance
Public health and safety
Anti-TB drugs
Drug regulatory action
Tuberculosis treatment compliance
Public health and safety

Puducherry cracks down on private chemists selling Anti-TB drugs illegally

Jul 8, 2025

Anti-TB drugs, Drug regulatory action, Tuberculosis treatment compliance, Public health and safety
Anti-TB drugs, Drug regulatory action, Tuberculosis treatment compliance, Public health and safety

The Puducherry administration has intensified efforts to curb the illegal sale of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs by private chemists. This move follows sustained complaints of non-compliance with regulations prohibiting the sale of anti-TB drugs outside government-approved sources.

Key highlights

Enforcement actions

  • Joint raids conducted by the State TB Cell and the Department of Drugs Control.

  • Inspections targeted private chemists involved in illegal sales of anti-TB drugs.

  • Efforts to prevent unauthorized sales and sensitize chemists on public health risks.

Regulatory background

  • Anti-TB drugs banned from sale in private pharmacies under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

  • The ban, initiated in 2017, aims to reduce the risk of drug-resistant TB and ensure treatment adherence.

  • The sale of anti-TB drugs through private channels risks non-completion of drug intake, leading to potential MDR-TB cases.

Awareness and sensitization

  • Private practitioners in Puducherry now actively report TB cases to the State TB Officer (STO).

  • Sensitization campaigns and educational meetings with pharmacists and chemists.

  • Efforts have led to a significant decline in private sales of anti-TB drugs.

Prosecution and progress

  • Eight joint raids conducted in the past two months, with one chemist prosecuted for violations.

  • The initiative has helped ensure that all TB patients are notified and receive free treatment from government sources.

  • Puducherry’s TB incidence reduced by 59% since 2015, with advanced screening and diagnostic tools in use.

The crackdown on illegal anti-TB drug sales in Puducherry is part of a broader strategy to reduce the incidence of TB and combat Multi-Drug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB). The ongoing efforts aim to ensure strict compliance with treatment protocols, safeguard public health, and support the government’s TB elimination goals.

Share:

Anti-TB drugs
Drug regulatory action
Tuberculosis treatment compliance
Public health and safety
Anti-TB drugs
Drug regulatory action
Tuberculosis treatment compliance
Public health and safety