Mizoram to amend Drugs and Cosmetics Act

Aizawl, Oct 23: Mizoram government is pursuing the amendment of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act, 1940 in order to gain more control over drugs. A state level coordination committee meeting chaired by chief secretary Haukhum Hauzel was convened here today where the difficulties in getting the Act amended was discussed in detail.

Official sources here today said Assam Drugs Control Act being used by the Excise department to control abuse of painkillers by Mizo youths was not enough as a result of which the state government has sought the amendment of the D&C Act.

Central government had rejected the amendment plea on grounds that the people who would be enforcing the Act namely the excise personnel did not have the necessary qualifaction, sources said.

Drugs such as spasmo-proxyvon, which is a pain killer normally sold over the counter, are banned substances under the Drugs&Cosmetics Act.

At present, since no law covered these drugs, the judiciary and prosecution found it difficult to prosecute those dealing in these products, sources added.

UNI