New Delhi: A joint team of Delhi police and the Drug Control Department raided a medical store in Pooth Khurd on Sept 18 following information that Pregabalin capsules were allegedly being sold without prescriptions to people seeking the medicine for its intoxicating effects. The inspection also found an expired drug licence, scheduled medicines, expired drugs and serious record-keeping deficiencies.DCP Outer North Shobhit D Saksena said, “Acting on information from a special informer, the team raided the pharmacy near Satguru Dairy. Police said the chemist was allegedly aware that some customers were seeking Pregabalin for its sedative effects and was charging them more than the normal retail price.”A decoy customer was sent to the shop with a Rs 500 note and asked to purchase Pregabalin without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. During the exercise, the shopkeeper allegedly supplied the capsules without seeking a prescription. The same Rs 500 note was later found with him.During the inspection, Akhil, a resident of Daryapur, was found at the premises and stated that he was running the store. The drug licence displayed at the shop was in the name of Sagar Rana and was valid until May 6, 2026. No renewal application or payment of renewal fee was reportedly found.The drug inspector also found Schedule H and H1 medicines. Akhil said the medicines were procured from Rajesh, who was allegedly not an authorised dealer. Purchase bills, sale records and prescribed registers for scheduled medicines were unavailable.A substantial quantity of expired medicines was recovered. On some cartons and packets, manufacturing or expiry details appeared to have been obscured with permanent marker. No CCTV camera was found at the premises.Pregabalin is a prescription medicine used for conditions including neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and certain neurological disorders. The Centre notified its inclusion in Schedule H1 on May 13, 2026, with the amendment set to take effect after 180 days, in Nov 2026.
