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Thursday, March 8

GK: Solving Punjab Drug Crisis (S&T)


In India, Punjab is one of the hotbeds of drug abuse. A PIL recently filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked that an opioid substitute, Buprenorphine, be made available on a “long-term basis” to help drug addicts.

What is Buprenorphine?

It is an opioid drug used to treat pain and addiction. It is the main drug in Opiod Substitution Therapy (OST), which is often used with Naloxone. The treatment involves doctor-administered doses of Buprenorphine under controlled circumstances.

According to doctors, the drug can play a major role in rehabilitating addicts if used under medical supervision along with psychosocial interventions. But there are risks — patients may get addicted to Buprenorphine, and start consuming it in non-medical environments. If injected along with depressant drugs, this can even lead to death.

Is it commonly available in pharmacies?

Buprenorphine is a Schedule H drug and is available at government-recognised pharmacies only. But in 2014, the Punjab government — which had ordered a high-profile crackdown on drug peddlers — placed further restrictions on it.

The government issued orders to restrict its supply after there were reports of misuse and illegal sale. Its availability was restricted to government and private rehabilitation centres only.

How freely is Buprenorphine available in other states across the country?

Buprenorphine is sold under strict regulations and cannot be purchased without the prescription of a qualified doctor. It is listed as a psychotropic substance under The Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances Act.

Is there a debate on Buprenorphine in other countries as well?

In his first State of the Union address, President Donald Trump said the country in 2016 “lost 64,000 Americans to drug overdoses: 174 deaths per day. Seven per hour.” Last month, the US Drug Enforcement Administration allowed more healthcare professionals to prescribe and dispense Buprenorphine from their offices.

Life expectancy in the United States fell for the second consecutive year in 2017 — apparently due to the worsening opioid crisis. In October 2017, President Donald Trump directed that the opioid crisis be declared a public health emergency.


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