India, Aug. 13 -- New Delhi

The Delhi government's drug control department has started inspecting pharmacies to check illegal over-the-counter sale of Pregabalin, a prescription medication meant to treat anxiety, epilepsy and nerve pain, which is being abused by addicts as a "trance drug". Officials said that they will issue a notice for the suspension of the licences of errant facilities.

The action comes days after HT, in these columns on August 8, detailed the abuse of the drug in a report titled "Pregabalin: 'Trance' drug sold freely in Capital fuels rising addiction among youth". The HT investigation found that the drug was readily available without a prescription at multiple Jan Aushadhi Kendras and private pharmacies, despite bei...