Jammu Kashmir Medical Council Tightens Rules on De-addiction Centres, Prescriptions of Narcotics

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council has moved to tighten oversight on privately owned de-addiction centres across the Union Territory, citing concerns over their misuse.

In a fresh notification, the Council said it had become necessary to regulate practices related to de-addiction treatment and the prescription or dispensation of Buprenorphine-Naloxone and other narcotic or psychotropic substances in the interest of public health and safety.

The order makes it mandatory for any medical practitioner seeking permanent registration with the Council to provide de-addiction treatment or prescribe and dispense such substances to furnish an affidavit sworn before a judicial magistrate of the first class. The affidavit must follow the prescribed format.

“This notification has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority,” the Registrar and Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council stated.