Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: The Odisha Drugs Control Department has launched a major crackdown on medicine shops across Bhubaneswar to check the unauthorised sale and stocking of drugs that can be misused as intoxicants.

The raids are focused on checking whether pharmacies are selling prescription-controlled medicines without valid prescriptions from registered medical practitioners.

Certain medicines prescribed for patients suffering from depression and other mental health conditions can carry risks of dependence or misuse if taken without proper medical supervision. Selling such medicines in violation of applicable regulations is a punishable offence.

During the inspections, officials are examining how much of these medicines pharmacies procure, how much they sell and whether the transactions comply with applicable regulations.

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The department is also checking the validity of licences, purchase records, sales registers and prescription requirements to identify possible irregularities.

Assistant Drugs Inspector Sudarshan Biswal said the department had found indications of irregularities by some medicine traders.

He added that appropriate action would be taken against businesses found violating the rules.

The enforcement drive aims to prevent the unauthorised sale and misuse of prescription medicines and ensure that pharmacies comply with drug control regulations.

Further action is expected based on the findings of the inspections.