Just what the doctor ordered: Bengaluru pharmacists know the rules well on banned drugs' sale

Bengaluru: Amid rising concerns over misuse of certain drugs, a reality check at pharmacies in Bengaluru showed that they were complying with rules of the drugs control department. 

DH asked pharmacists for Amidopyrine tablets prescribed for fever and pain. But pharmacists in and around Residency Road did not have the drug and two of them told this reporter that it was banned and advised against using them. 

In and around Shivajinagar, pharmacists were asked for Sibutramine and R-Sibutramine tablets used to treat obesity. It was banned for increasing chances of heart attack and stroke. This drug too was not available.  A pharmacist on Jayamahal Road said, “Doctors will be behind bars if they prescribe them. We will be arrested if we sell them,” highlighting the awareness among pharmacists. 

The government, in June 2025, banned use and sale of Pomol 650 tablets for not being of standard quality and many pharmacies did not have it. However, it was available online. Another banned drug Penicillin skin/eye ointment and Nialamide could not be procured in Ulsoor.

The ointment was banned for causing antibiotic resistance and severe allergic reaction and Nialamide was banned for its role in liver damage of its consumers. 

MITQ Q7 syrup, banned for being below standards this year, was also not available. 

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “We have sent 390 samples of cough syrup drugs for testing”.