📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / USAID Pakistan
Health
Punjab to Ban Over‑the‑Counter Sale of Pregabalin Capsules from Nov 11
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 24 Oct 2026, 11:19 AM
👁 13
The Punjab government announced that from November 11, Pregabalin capsules will be sold only with a valid prescription, aiming to curb misuse.
The state health ministry issued an order that, effective November 11, pharmacies in Punjab must refuse to dispense Pregabalin capsules without a doctor’s prescription. The move targets the growing concern over the drug’s non‑medical use for anxiety, insomnia and recreational purposes.
Officials said the regulation will be enforced through routine inspections and penalties for non‑compliant outlets. The drug, classified as a Schedule‑V medication under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, is already prescription‑only in many parts of the country, but over‑the‑counter sales have persisted in some regions.
Health experts welcomed the ban, noting that tighter control could reduce the risk of dependence and adverse side‑effects among patients. The government has urged physicians to educate patients about the proper use of Pregabalin and to report any suspicious dispensing patterns.
Officials said the regulation will be enforced through routine inspections and penalties for non‑compliant outlets. The drug, classified as a Schedule‑V medication under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, is already prescription‑only in many parts of the country, but over‑the‑counter sales have persisted in some regions.
Health experts welcomed the ban, noting that tighter control could reduce the risk of dependence and adverse side‑effects among patients. The government has urged physicians to educate patients about the proper use of Pregabalin and to report any suspicious dispensing patterns.