Tamenglong 24th March, 2025, (DIPR): Tamenglong– In a significant move towards combating substance abuse and ensuring public health safety, an enforcement drive was conducted today at the Tamenglong headquarters as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The initiative, organized by the district administration of Tamenglong in collaboration with the Health Department, Education Department, and Social Welfare Department, aimed to reinforce regulations concerning pharmacies and tobacco sales in the area.
The enforcement team, led by Dr. Namjubou Daimai, Medical Officer and Nodal Officer for the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), along with Tamenglong Police Station, Officer In-Charge L. Simon, Eleazer Kaongam, PA to the Deputy Commissioner, representatives of Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Tamenglong undertook a thorough inspection of local pharmacies. The findings were concerning; out of 32 pharmacies inspected, only one was equipped with a CCTV system, and merely three pharmacies held valid operating certificates.
Pharmacy owners expressed their frustration to the enforcement team, citing that their license renewals had been declined at the state level, which has hindered their ability to comply with necessary regulations. Dr. Daimai emphasized the importance of adhering to legal standards, particularly regarding the sale of medications, stating, “Pharmacists must not sell to minors, and H Schedule drugs, including sedatives and antibiotics, should only be dispensed with a valid doctor’s prescription.”
The enforcement team also noted that local physicians sometimes prescribe medications with significant side effects, underscoring the need for stricter adherence to prescription protocols. The pharmacists were warned to install CCTV systems and renew their licenses promptly to avoid potential legal repercussions.
In addition to pharmacy inspections, the team also monitored shops located within radius of 100 meters of educational institutions. Several violations were identified, including the sale of gutkha and other tobacco products, leading to confiscation of the banned items by the Officer In-Charge. Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, the sale of tobacco products in proximity to schools is strictly prohibited. Shopkeepers were reminded to display signage indicating their premises as “Tobacco Free Zones.”
The enforcement drive spanned from Medical Gate to Council Junction in Tamenglong and District Hospital, Duigailong covering key areas frequented by the public. The collaborative effort aimed not only to enforce existing laws but also to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for the community.