The unregulated sale of medicines marked with a red vertical line meant strictly for prescription use has emerged as a serious public health concern in Kashmir, raising alarms among doctors and health authorities.
According to health officials, drugs carrying a red line on their packaging are classified as prescription-only medicines, including powerful antibiotics and other critical drugs. These medicines are legally required to be dispensed only on a doctor’s prescription. However, reports indicate that such drugs are being sold openly across pharmacies in the Valley, often without any medical advice.
The Union Health Ministry has earlier issued a clear advisory stating that red-line medicines should not be consumed without consulting a qualified doctor. To tackle misuse, the Ministry launched a nationwide awareness campaign titled “Red Line = Doctor’s Prescription”, aiming to educate the public about the dangers of self-medication, particularly the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
Medical experts in Kashmir warn that the easy availability of these drugs has contributed to a culture of self-treatment, where patients bypass doctors and directly purchase medicines. This practice, they say, can lead to incorrect dosing, incomplete treatment, and serious side effects.
A study conducted at Government Medical College, Srinagar, has further underlined the gravity of the issue. The study reported a high incidence of multidrug-resistant infections, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), indicating a possible link between antibiotic misuse and rising drug resistance in the region.
Doctors caution that antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat, making common infections harder and more expensive to treat. They stress that antibiotics are not a cure-all and should only be used when clinically necessary.
Health authorities have called for stricter enforcement of drug sale regulations, routine inspections of pharmacies, and sustained public awareness campaigns. Experts believe that without urgent intervention, the unchecked sale of red-line medicines could have long-term consequences for public health in Kashmir.
