The Drugs Control Administration of Nagaland issued an administrative order that obliges every courier operating in the state to notify local drug regulators whenever a shipment contains medicines. The directive bears the signature of Joint Drugs Controller and Controlling and Licensing Authority L. Martennen Longkumer and came into force without delay.
State health officials have warned that digital marketplaces permit prescription drugs to be ordered online and delivered straight to consumers. This practice sidesteps conventional pharmacies and the inspections that normally accompany physical sales.
Regulators explained that such a flow weakens the ability to trace medicines from manufacturers to end-users. The concern is especially acute for products listed under Schedule H, Schedule H1, as well as certain narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Under the order, any service that receives a parcel containing medication must submit a detailed report to the appropriate District Drugs Control Authority, which functions under the Chief Medical Officer’s establishment at the moment of receipt.
The information that must be recorded includes the sender’s full name and address, the recipient’s contact details, an exact description of the items, and the airway bill or tracking number linked to the shipment.
Copies of the order have been forwarded to the Drugs Controller General of India, to the secretaries of the state health department, to the Director General of Police, and to every district drug official so that enforcement can be coordinated across agencies.
