Faridkot, 27 June 2025: A complete ban has been imposed in the district on Pregabalin capsules and tablets containing more than 75 mg of the formulation. Deputy Commissioner Madam Poonamdeep Kaur stated that some anti-social elements have been misusing this medicine as an intoxicant.
She added that these orders have been issued in strict adherence to realize Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a drug-free Punjab. Under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, this complete ban has been enforced on formulations exceeding 75 mg of Pregabalin.
As per the orders:
- Wholesalers, retailers, chemists, medical store owners, pharmacists in hospitals, and any other person shall not sell Pregabalin 75 mg or above without an original prescription.
- Sellers must maintain a record of all Pregabalin 75 mg capsules and tablets sold, along with proper purchase and sales invoices.
- The original prescription must be stamped, and details like:
- name of the chemist/retailer/trader,
- date of purchase,
- number of tablets/capsules sold
must be clearly recorded.
- Sellers must also ensure that the buyer has not already purchased this medicine from any other shop using the same prescription.
- The medicine must not be dispensed beyond the number of days specified in the prescription.
- These restrictions will remain in force until August 16, 2025.
Exceptions:
In emergency cases, patients who genuinely require this medicine may obtain it from medical stores run by the District Red Cross Society, where exemptions are allowed. The Secretary of the Red Cross has been instructed to maintain detailed records of such sales.
Summary:
Health authorities have imposed a total ban on the sale and distribution of capsules and tablets containing more than 75 mg of Pregabalin to prevent misuse.