GORAKHPUR, Dec. 7 -- As part of statewide crackdown on the illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrup, the health department on Saturday cancelled the licences of two medical stores, suspended five others and issued show-cause notices to seven more found violating drug regulations.

According to officials, the action followed extensive inspections and scrutiny of records, during which serious irregularities were detected in the sale and stock management of codeine-containing cough syrups. These syrups fall under the category of controlled drugs, and their sale without proper prescriptions is a punishable offence.

Senior drug inspector Arvind Kumar said, "Misuse and illegal sale of codeine-based medicines will not be tolerated. We have tak...