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Kohima: Nagaland officials have issued an urgent health safety advisory. The Drugs Control Administration is cracking down on the indiscriminate use of painkillers, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics. Officials warn that these medications can lead to chronic kidney disease.
This move follows a directive from the Drugs Controller General of India and the Central Drugs Control Organisation. The state government wants to stop the public from using these drugs for prolonged periods or without direct medical oversight. The advisory states that "antibiotics should not be used for self-medication or for conditions where such treatment is not clinically indicated, including most uncomplicated viral infections."
Patients must stop sharing leftover medication. Anyone with existing kidney issues must alert their doctor before taking NSAIDs. If symptoms like fever or pain persist, do not reach for the pill bottle again. Go see a professional.
Healthcare providers face new scrutiny. Doctors must now prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. They are required to account for a patient’s age, existing conditions, and other medications. Hospitals must strengthen their internal monitoring and antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb the misuse of these drugs.
Pharmacists are also under the microscope. Retailers must follow strict laws for selling Schedule H and H1 drugs. They are forbidden from encouraging self-medication or selling these controlled substances without a valid prescription. Any violation of these regulations will be met with strict compliance measures.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 10:00am
The directive mandates that doctors factor in specific medical hazards when writing scripts. Physicians must now weigh a patient's dehydration status, cardiovascular history, and current renal function before authorizing NSAIDs. For antibiotics, the new protocol demands that clinicians base their choices on the site and severity of an infection, utilizing microbial investigations and local susceptibility patterns to pick the right drug. It explicitly bans the practice of unnecessary combination therapy and incorrect dosing schedules.
Retailers are officially off the hook for guessing symptoms. Pharmacies must stick strictly to the Drugs Rules of 1945 regarding Schedule H and H1 sales. They are now barred from pushing prescription-only NSAIDs on customers and must honor every label warning regarding sales conditions.
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