Delhi govt cracks down on painkillers' over-the-counter sale during dengue season

New Delhi: The department of drugs control has advised chemist associations not to sell medicines that are in the group of aspirin, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac without a doctor's prescription as these may cause reduction in platelets in patients with vector-borne diseases.

Unmonitored use of such drugs may prove fatal for patients with already low platelet count. The department has also advised chemist shops to maintain a record of these painkiller drugs.

"As you are aware, the incidence of detection of cases of vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya has been on the rise during the rainy season. There is a likelihood that the number of cases may increase in the pre- and post-monsoon season, which is to be monitored very strictly," the advisory says. "It is desired in the public interest that during the ongoing transmission season of dengue and chikungunya, the use of drugs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Diclofenac group of medicines (which further cause destruction of platelets in human blood) may be restricted to be sold against the prescription of a registered medical practitioner only," it added.

"Retail chemists are, therefore, advised not to indulge in over-the-counter sale" of these drugs "with immediate effect till further directions," the advisory read. It warned: "Stringent action will be taken against retail chemists if found flouting this advice.

According to sources, the city has recorded 612 dengue cases. Since last year, MCD has stopped releasing data on the number of people with vector-borne diseases. Besides this, other directives earlier issued by AAP govt are ensuring hospitals are no breeding zones, ensuring a visit by top health officials at each hospital to ensure dengue preparedness, scrapping old tyres, engines, old and defunct vehicles or seized articles lying uncovered in the premises of govt departments.

There is an effort for a 360-degree mass awareness campaign similar to govt's earlier programme 10 Hafte, 10 Baje, 10 Minute. A drive to check mosquito breeding at construction sites was also conducted by MCD.