Summary:
According to the state Drug Control Department officials, they are closely monitoring medicine shortage in Kerala. However, according to the Excise Department, checks are in place to curb the over-the-counter sale of narcotic medicines from pharmacies. The Vimukthi Cell under the Excise Department has received 416 calls since the declaration of the lockdown. “We are on high alert and we haven’t noticed any spike in the demand for narcotic drugs so far. Severe withdrawal syndrome would lead them to depend on other options like illicit liquor,” said an excise official..