Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: The Odisha Directorate of Drugs Control has intensified its statewide crackdown on the illegal sale and misuse of medicines, with raids conducted at 220 wholesale and retail drug establishments so far and action initiated against 137 outlets for alleged violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act

The special enforcement drive, launched on October 1, is being carried out across the State in coordination with police and will continue till October 15. Officials are checking drug licences, procurement records, stock and the manner in which medicines are being sold, particularly psychotropic medicines that require valid prescriptions.

Assistant Drugs Controllers and Drugs Inspectors are conducting inspections at medicine shops and distributors to verify whether medicines such as Alprazolam, Nitrazepam, Pentazocine and Tramadol are being purchased and sold in accordance with prescribed regulations.

Officials are specifically checking whether these medicines are being supplied only against valid prescriptions issued by registered medical practitioners.

In a major seizure in Kendrapara district, enforcement officials recovered around 1,100 ampoules of Pentazocine injections, along with other medicines and medical devices.

The seized items were estimated to be worth approximately ₹9.70 lakh.

The enforcement action comes amid growing concern over the unauthorised sale and diversion of medicines that can be misused as intoxicants.

Officials also seized medicines worth around ₹1.92 lakh from unlicensed establishments in the Astaranga area of Puri district, Jonk area of Nuapada district and different parts of Deogarh district

Cases have been registered against persons allegedly involved in these violations, according to the department.

In another enforcement operation in Kendrapara, Drug Control officials arrested an unlicensed pharmaceutical distributor after raiding a rented storehouse in the Sunelo area.

The raid reportedly led to the seizure of suspected counterfeit and spurious medicines, including Pentazocine, Tramadol and Ketamine, along with fake medical devices. The total value of the seized material was reported to be around ₹10 lakh.

Officials suspect the stock may have been supplied to hospitals and clinics in Kendrapara and nearby areas. The accused was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody.

The Directorate of Drugs Control has said the special drive will continue across Odisha till October 15, with further inspections and enforcement action expected against establishments found violating statutory requirements.

The campaign is aimed at curbing the unauthorised sale, misuse and diversion of psychotropic medicines while ensuring compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and related rules.