All medical shops and pharmacies in East Khasi Hills that sell schedule H, H1 or X drugs must install CCTV cameras inside and outside the premises.
Schedule H drugs are those that cannot be sold without a doctor’s prescription; H1 are third and fourth generation antibiotics, certain habit forming drugs and anti-tuberculosis drugs; X are those prescription medicines that are even more strictly regulated, such as amphetamines and ketamine.
The order by the District Magistrate was passed on November 17 but made public to the press only today. Indeed, the order is almost identical to one issued in January 2022, which indicates that not all pharmacies had obeyed it then.
A time period of two weeks has been given to the shop owners for installation of CCTV cameras. Footage may be randomly checked by the authorities at any time.
