Due to the surge in dengue cases, the Delhi government has issued a directive to chemists, urging them not to sell painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen without a valid prescription from a doctor. The advisory was issued by the Department of Drugs Control, in response to the increase in vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya during the rainy season.
The department emphasizes the importance of restricting the sale of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac group of medicines, as these drugs have been found to cause platelet destruction in human blood, which can be especially dangerous for patients affected by vector-borne diseases. Retail chemists are required to adhere to this restriction and are also advised to keep records of their painkiller drug stocks falling under this category.
Violation of these guidelines will result in stringent action
Any violation of these guidelines will result in stringent action against the erring chemists. Medical experts have warned about the potentially fatal consequences of the unmonitored use of such drugs for patients suffering from vector-borne diseases.
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Dr. Anurag Saxena from Primus Super Speciality Hospital stressed the importance of controlled use and recommended taking these painkillers only as prescribed by a qualified doctor, given the role of platelets in blood clotting and the complications that can arise from their depletion.
According to a recent municipal report, Delhi has already witnessed over 160 dengue cases by mid-July this year, the highest number for this period since 2018. In response to the rising concern, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj chaired a high-level meeting to address the preparedness for handling vector-borne diseases in the city.
The authorities are actively taking preventive measures, including fogging and insecticide spraying in flood relief camps. They have also extended the helpline 1031, previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic, to facilitate dengue treatment and offer comprehensive medical support to those in need.
