Ketamine drug brought under Schedule X

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: After reports of possible misuse of the drug ketamine, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union Government, has shifted the drug from Schedule H and now listed it under Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945. 

Henceforward, all doctors prescribing Ketamine will require to issue a prescription in duplicate and at the time of dispensing the chemist will require to keep one copy with himself for record. 

“A Clinician or Medical Practitioner has to issue a double Prescription (Prescription in duplicate) for each of his patient; one of the prescription will be retained by the patient carrying the stamp as “Dispensed” by the retailer after its sale and the second copy of perception has to be kept by the retailer, who is required to maintain records of sale and purchase of each such drugs unit for at least a period of 2 years; thus the rules for acquiring Ketamine have been strengthened,” Director of Food and Drugs Administration Salim Veljee said in a statement. 

Earlier last year, the Superintendent of Police, Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) had suggested that pharmacies along the coastal belt could be indulging in the illegal sale of Ketamine, a statement that was rubbished by the Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa (CDAG).

The FDA too subsequently conducted raids and the licences of some pharmacies were suspended for a token period for failing to adhere to the norms. Pharmacies require a special Schedule X licence in order to even stock this drug. 

“The stocking of such Ketamine HCL drugs for sale or consumption without Schedule X drugs licence issued by the Directorate is an offence, amounting to the contraventions of stocking drugs without valid licences under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945,” Veljee said. 

Ketamine Hydrochloride is used as a sedative both in human and animals. However, it has potential for misuse due to its psychotropic characteristics and side effects.

The FDA has asked all retailers/wholesalers to immediately apply for specific Schedule X drug licence, if they intend to stock, store, sell or distribute such drugs or else all the stocks available at their premises should be immediately returned back to concerned respective wholesaler.

all doctors prescribing Ketamine will require to issue a prescription in duplicate and at the time of dispensing the chemist will require to keep one copy with himself for record