Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 July 2025
The 18th assembly of the ANTF was convened on May 27, 2025, underneath the chairmanship of Ms. Sindhu Pillai A, IPS, Inspector General of Police, A&N Islands. During the assembly, Ms. Pillai reiterated the significance of the ANTF’s mandate and emphasised the necessity for coordinated motion amongst all stakeholders to curb the drug menace within the islands.
As a follow-up, an consciousness assembly was held on June 20, 2025, on the Directorate of Health Services. Chaired by Dr. Suja Antony, CMO (NFSG), Director of Health Services/State Drug Controller, the assembly introduced collectively members of the Andaman and Nicobar Chemists and Druggists Association together with retail and wholesale pharmacy house owners. The discussions targeted on preventive measures and the shared duty of the pharmaceutical sector in making a drug-free Andaman.
In a major enforcement motion, Ms. Nalni, Drug Inspector, accompanied by officers from the Social Welfare Department, Police Stations in Rangat, Billiground, and Diglipur, carried out shock inspections at non-public pharmacies throughout North and Middle Andaman on June 26 and 27, 2025.
Awareness periods have been additionally organized at PS Rangat and PS Diglipur, the place pharmacy house owners and pharmacists have been briefed on the situations of retail drug licenses. Key areas of focus included the obligatory upkeep of Schedule H and H1 drug registers, CCTV installations with 30-day backup, and correct show of legitimate drug licenses.
Officials highlighted authorized provisions underneath Section 42(a) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, cautioning in opposition to working pharmacies with out certified pharmacists. The conferences concluded with members taking an ‘Anti-Narcotic Pledge.’
The Health Department has urged most of the people to report any suspected drug abuse in or round pharmacy retailers by contacting 9434266561. (Story Based on PR)
