KATHMANDU, June 11: The government has taken stern measures on the import, sale, distribution and market management of drugs in three groups, particularly the pregabalin, dicyclomine and promethazine.
Issuing a public notice, the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) has said it has tightened regulation based on complaints and information about the recent increase in the misuse of these drugs.
According to the new system, importers who want to import pregabalin will have to mandatorily submit details of the market requirement up to the retail drug store to the department. In addition, there is a provision to submit updated consumption details every six months.
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While selling pregabalin, retail drug stores will have to mandatorily record the patient's details, the name of the doctor who prescribed the drug, and the Nepal Medical Council’s identity number. It has been arranged that the details can be kept safe in both digital and physical copy.
Similarly, manufacturers and importers of dicyclomine and promethazine drugs have also been instructed to organize the entire record of the distribution system. The department has stated that it is mandatory to keep records of sales and distribution from the distributor to the retail level.
According to the DDA, the new system is expected to help control the unauthorized use and misuse of medicines and ensure the availability of essential medicines in the market.
