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Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 24
Irregularities such as the sale of buprenorphine in bulk and failure to maintain a detailed record of patients have been detected during the ongoing statewide inspection of private de-addiction centres.
Sources say as per a report by the Health Department, some of the centres have been served showcause notices. The department has initiated action against them under The Punjab Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Counselling and Rehabilitation Centres Rules, 2011.
There are 96 private de-addiction centres in the state. The inspections were carried out following a decision taken at a special meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by CM Capt Amarinder Singh.
A senior health functionary, who wished not to be named, confirmed that anomalies had been witnessed at private de-addiction centres across the state.
Earlier also, the department had pointed out that at some centres, buprenorphine was being sold in large quantities. Some of the centres were selling de-addiction drugs worth Rs 1 lakh daily. It was decided to monitor the receipt and sale of medicines at such centres on a daily basis. An FIR was registered against a centre for selling buprenorphine without authorisation, the government had said in a communication sent to all Civil Surgeons.
Buprenorphine is a habit-forming drug. As per the standard practice and the guidelines given by PGI doctors, the medicine should not be dispensed for over seven days for a single visit.
The inspections are being carried out by the Deputy Commissioner, Civil Surgeon, drug inspectors and district mental health programme incharges. All attempts to contact Director, Health Services, Dr Jaspal Kaur proved futile.
Last year, a report had mentioned that inmates at private rehabilitation centres in the state were being tortured and many de-addiction centres had become the point of sale for buprenorphine.
Know Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is used to treat dependence/addiction to opioids (narcotics). It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opioids. It is often misused by addicts to get high, manage withdrawal sickness or to treat pain and manage psychiatric issues.
Regulation policy
Under the Drug Policy 2017, the state government regulates the sale of six habit-forming drugs — tramadol, tapentadol, codeine, diphenoxylate, alprazolam and buprenorphine. As per the policy, these drug formulations are to be supplied to wholesalers only against written orders. Financial transactions regarding these drugs shouldn’t be in cash.
No admission charges
Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday directed the Health Department to strengthen the network of OOAT (out-patient opioid assisted treatment) centres as well as government and private de-addiction and rehabilitation centres by linking them with Aadhaar numbers of patients. He also ordered waiver of Rs 200 user admission charges at government-run centres. The waiver will be in addition to the free treatment already announced by the CM for drug abuse victims coming to various centres. Linking the centres with Aadhaar will ensure prevention of duplicate registration, the Chief Minister said while reviewing the department’s de-addiction programme. It was decided to start mobile OOAT vans that will visit villages to provide medication to the addicts at their doorstep. TNS
Gandhi’s proposal on opium sent to Centre
Chandigarh: Acknowledging suggestions by Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi to legalise natural intoxicants such as opium, poppy husk and marijuana, CM Capt Amarinder Singh has told the MP that the same have been forwarded to the Union Health Minister. Dr Gandhi had said that immediate arrangements should be made to supply natural intoxicants at opioid substitution treatment centres at the district and tehsil levels. He had said that these should be distributed free in a measured daily dose to the drug users registered earlier or the new ones who come to seek help. TNS
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