SHILLONG, May 16: The Meghalaya unit of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on Friday expressed concern over the central government’s decision to consider classifying certain medicines as over-the-counter (OTC) products.
In a statement, Meghalaya Healthcare Association president David Kharsati underlined the potentially grave implications of the move, citing the sensitive nature of medicinal products and the risks of misuse when consumed without expert guidance.
He cautioned that even commonly used drugs like paracetamol and diclofenac carry serious health risks if not administered correctly.
Paracetamol, for instance, is widely consumed as a routine pain reliever, but an overdose can lead to severe liver and kidney damage. Similarly, he pointed out that different forms of diclofenac—potassium and sodium—must be prescribed with caution, especially for patients with blood pressure-related conditions, as they can dangerously aggravate the condition if interchanged.
Kharsati emphasised that these examples highlight why drug handling should be overseen by experienced professionals. While the Centre’s intention may be to simplify access, he warned that placing more drugs under the OTC category could destabilise the current supply chain and create widespread confusion.
The AIOCD, which represents 12.5 lakh members nationwide, also expressed concern over declining business margins due to the rise of online pharmacies and government-backed schemes like Jan Aushadhi and Dawa India. The association fears that further expansion of the OTC list will severely impact local pharmacies, which are struggling with rising operational costs such as rent, staff salaries and pharmacists’ remuneration.
