Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs is carrying out systematic work to curb the illegal circulation of medicines containing psychotropic and potent substances. As part of this effort, a swimming coach was detained in Petropavlovsk with 56 tablets of potent drugs seized, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the ministry's information media portal, since the start of the year police have conducted the Darmeck operational and preventive operation every quarter together with health authorities. Its goal is to protect public health and curb the illegal circulation of medicines containing psychotropic and potent substances.
The work uncovers cases of such drugs being sold without a doctor's prescription — both by unscrupulous pharmacy employees and by other individuals with no connection to the pharmaceutical industry.
"Particularly alarming are cases of these drugs being sold to minors. Such medicines must be dispensed strictly by doctor's prescription, since uncontrolled use can lead to grave consequences, including a fatal overdose," the ministry said.
According to the Interior Ministry, the latest phase of the operation ran from September 21 to 25. More than 1,500 medical institutions and pharmacies, as well as 142 industrial enterprises, were inspected. A total of 249 administrative offenses were identified. The circulation of 28,000 narcotic-containing medicines was restricted.
At the same time, measures are being taken to prevent chemicals and precursors from moving from legal into illegal circulation. The circulation of 675 tonnes of various precursors was restricted, and 90 legal entities were held administratively liable.
For example, a swimming coach was detained in Petropavlovsk with 56 tablets of potent substances seized. In Turkestan, one pharmacy was found selling potent substances without a license, and more than 5,000 tablets were seized. In Uralsk, the circulation of 500 tonnes of hydrochloric acid was restricted for violating licensing rules.