Drug fight: Punjab's plan to allow private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine faces legal hurdle
2
Chandigarh: An ambitious initiative by the Punjab govt to widen access to drug rehabilitation by allowing private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine has run into a legal roadblock.
Health minister Dr Balbir Singh recently announced with much fanfare that private psychiatrists would be permitted to provide buprenorphine—a critical medicine used in opioid dependence treatment—to patients at their OPD clinics. The move was seen as a breakthrough to bridge the treatment gap amid a crippling shortage of psychiatrists in the public healthcare system.
However, the proposal now faces a major roadblock: a 2019 stay order by the Punjab and Haryana high court on a directive issued by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) that would have enabled private OPD clinics to dispense buprenorphine.
The court's interim order has resurfaced as a legal barrier, throwing a spanner in the govt's efforts to broaden access to opioid substitution therapy.
With Punjab battling a severe drug crisis, particularly among the youth, the need for wider treatment access has never been more urgent. Currently, nearly 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Espalhe a sua marca para milhares de pessoas
Balinhas Personalizadas
Solicite orçamento
Undo
To further expand coverage, the state announced plans to open 41 new OOAT clinics across 10 districts. In addition, 180 private rehabilitation centres are already functional across the state.
Following the health minister's announcement, the Association of Psychiatrists "provisionally" agreed to assist in managing addiction cases at govt-affiliated de-addiction centres. In response, the Punjab health department constituted a committee of experts—including representatives from the Association of Psychiatrists, the advocate general's office, and senior health officials—to explore legal avenues.
In its first meeting, the committee resolved to file an application in the high court seeking vacation of the stay order.
This is not the first time legal ambiguity derailed policy progress. In Aug 2020, the Punjab cabinet amended state rules to allow private psychiatric clinics to dispense detoxification medication under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985—a longstanding demand of private practitioners.
Yet by 2021, the govt rescinded this provision, citing legal opinion from the advocate general's office, though other amendments were implemented.
Health principal secretary Kumar Rahul confirmed that the govt is actively evaluating all options to implement the revised dispensing policy. "A committee of experts has been formed and is examining all relevant aspects, including legal avenues," he said. The Association of Psychiatrists welcomed the department's efforts but warned that the absence of a concrete timeline and uncertain legal outcomes made it difficult to offer "unconditional" support.
"A lot of time has already passed. Without clarity, it will be hard to engage the psychiatric community for long," the association stated.
It further contended that the stay order does not explicitly prohibit implementation of the amended rules, and that the govt's own OOAT centres continue to dispense the same medication under similar legal uncertainty. "We are ready to assist the govt, but not at the cost of being misled into believing this is a favour—when it's a rightful provision," the body said, adding that individual psychiatrists must now weigh the risks of relying on delayed govt action.
EXPERTS PUSH FOR EVIDENCE-BASED ADDICTION CARE
Public health specialists, including the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), have repeatedly criticised Punjab's existing de-addiction model as outdated and ineffective. The IPS has called for treatment to be aligned with evidence-based protocols, particularly the routine use of buprenorphine, and urged that addiction care be brought under the Mental Healthcare Act for better regulation and patient outcomes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Only 10% of 84k city strays covered under ABC programme in over 3 yrs'
1 2 Kolkata: A time-bound vaccination and sterilisation project targeting the city's stray dog population, launched amid much fanfare in March 2022, has encountered significant delays, with only 10% of the targeted 84,000 stray dogs covered, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) official conceded. After more than three years, the project has fallen behind schedule. To compensate for the lost time, civic workers engaged in the special project have started picking up stray dogs indiscriminately without informing local caregivers, according to a KMC source. In 2022, the state sanctioned Rs 86 lakh for the special project and set a one-year deadline for the KMC health department to complete it. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata A KMC health dept official stated that after the formal inauguration of the project, the vaccination and sterilisation work proceeded at a slow pace. While the aim was to vaccinate all 84,000 stray dogs, the goal was to sterilise 60% of the total dog population. A KMC official associated with the vaccination and sterilisation project said the special, time-bound initiative has become a non-starter due to lack of infrastructure and manpower. Additionally, mismatched borough-wise records of strays are proving to be an obstacle. The official added that borough-wise officials will be asked to extend a helping hand to expedite the vaccination and sterilisation project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Car Insurance Rates Are Dropping - Find Out If You're Overpaying AutoSaveMax Get Quote Undo "Vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs across the city is a massive task. If we want to implement the project successfully, we need to upgrade the infrastructure of Dhapa dog pound immediately. Inundation of the dog pound has been a major problem. If we can't do it before the monsoon, the vaccination and sterilisation task will get hampered," the civic official said. The Dhapa dog pound has a capacity to keep 250 dogs for vaccination and sterilisation. To make up for the delays, the sterilisation and vaccination drive has been intensified, according to a KMC official. "Of late we have decided to expedite the drive to wrap up the ABC programme as fast as we can. Otherwise, we can't prevent the multiplication of the city's stray dog population," the official said. In addition to the Dhapa dog pound, the KMC has a kennel facility at Entally, which can be used to keep stray dogs during the vaccination and sterilisation drive. Combined, the Dhapa and Entally dog pounds can accommodate 300 dogs at one time. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Devaswom vigilance wing must inspect all food outlets in Sabarimala at least once a week, Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has ordered that the vigilance wing of Travancore devaswom board (TDB) must conduct regular inspections, at least once a week, in all hotels, restaurants, tea stalls and similar establishments during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season in Sabarimala. The court was considering a petition filed by the Akhila Bharatheeya Ayyappa Seva Sangam, seeking a directive to govt officials to ensure that food and beverages served at Sabarimala and Erumeli are hygienic and that no noxious substances or contaminated water are used or distributed to pilgrims, even if provided free of cost. Expressing concern over allegations that some food stalls in Erumeli had been preparing food in unhealthy and unhygienic conditions, unnoticed by any of the authorities deployed at Sabarimala during the festive season, the court said it was bewildered and dismayed. The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar further directed that, before the commencement of each festive season, the govt shall ensure meetings of the various agencies and instrumentalities deployed at Sabarimala to guarantee the availability of safe drinking water and hygienic food. The Sabarimala special commissioner shall examine the reports of the chief vigilance officer, Sabarimala, on this issue and report the matter to the court if necessary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo The state food safety commissioner shall ensure that the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are scrupulously followed at Sabarimala. Additionally, TDB shall initiate steps to blacklist licensees who violate statutory provisions or breach the conditions of their licence or Kuthaka right, the court added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Fresh viral spurt across city as rain, sun play hide and seek
Kolkata: The temperature rise after a prolonged wet period revived a cough and cold outbreak that struck in July. With the mercury crawling up to 34.2°C last Tuesday and dropping to 29.9°C on Thursday, the mercury was on a see-saw ride. This unleashed the seasonal viruses yet again, at a time when viral and bacterial infections kept most hospitals fully occupied. "Over the past few weeks, there's been a noticeable uptick in influenza activity across Kolkata, particularly since the beginning of the monsoon season in July, when respiratory viruses often flare up. More febrile illnesses are reporting at our OPD now," said Jayanta Datta, senior internal medicine consultant, Charnock Hospital. "This is indeed worrying since we have seen a sudden footfall rise in our OPD and this would invariably increase admissions. Since we are running at near full capacity, it would again be a challenge to find beds for critical patients," said a hospital head. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata The rise in temperature followed a prolonged rainy spell during which the maximum temperature dropped to 29°C last Friday. It has been crawling up since Monday, triggering yet another cough and cold epidemic in the city, with hundreds suffering from upper respiratory tract infections and an obstinate cough. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Germany – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo BP Poddar Hospital OPD has been receiving 15–20 patients daily, including school students and senior citizens. Respiratory illnesses are especially severe among the elderly, particularly those with COPD or a history of hospitalisation during Covid, in some cases requiring CCU or ward admission, said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician. "This has contributed to the existing bed crisis. The dominant viruses are Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and Influenza B, followed by rhinovirus, adenovirus, and streptococcus pneumoniae. Abrupt weather changes, combined with frequent transitions between air-conditioned spaces and outdoor heat, are increasing the severity and duration of illnesses," added Aich Bhaumik. The heat and humidity tend to elevate pollution levels, triggering allergic reactions in many individuals, said Fortis Hospital internal medicine consultant Joydeep Ghosh. "People often take multiple showers, consume cold drinks, or switch rapidly between outdoor heat and indoor air-conditioning. Such abrupt temperature changes challenge the body's ability to regulate its internal temperature, sometimes impairing immunity and leading to respiratory discomfort. The transition from hot, dusty streets to chilled indoor environments, especially when repeated frequently, can stress the body's defences," added Ghosh. Most patients had a mild fever followed by a persistent cough that refused to go. There was a spurt in Influenza A (H1N2), para-influenza, rhinovirus, and enterovirus, say doctors and microbiologists. Peerless Hospital detected 20-30 cases of Influenza A and B, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), typhoid, and scrub typhus in the last week. "This is the season for seasonal influenza or Influenza A and many have got tested with symptoms. We have also detected several dengue cases in viral panel tests in the last week. This could last several weeks, going by the temperature fluctuations and the consistent rain," said Peerless Hospital chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury. Seasonal viruses pushed OPD footfalls by 15-20% in the last ten days at Woodlands Hospital. "The elderly with existing comorbidities, and those with weakened immunity are being particularly affected. Patients typically present with moderate to high-grade fever, dry or minimally productive cough, headache, body ache, general malaise, and at times, loose watery stools," said Soutik Panda, critical care head, Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
