Srinagar, May 19, KNT: Police in Srinagar on Tuesday arrested the owner of a medical shop in Alochibagh after allegedly catching him selling Pregabalin capsules without a prescription and failing to produce valid purchase records during a raid, officials said.

The action was taken during a raid conducted by a police party from Police Station Shergari at a Pharmacy located in the Alochibagh area of Srinagar.

Police sources said the accused (owner of the medical shop) was allegedly caught red-handed selling Pregabalin capsules to customers without a medical prescription.

The raid was part of ongoing enforcement measures against the unauthorized sale and misuse of regulated pharmaceutical drugs, which officials said remain a concern due to their potential for abuse and illegal distribution.

Pregabalin is a prescription medicine commonly used for treating nerve pain, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and certain chronic pain conditions. Health authorities have, however, repeatedly warned against its unsupervised use, saying misuse can lead to dependency, intoxication, and other health complications.

Sources revealed that the shop owner also failed to produce any valid bill or invoice related to the seized medicine during the inspection.

Following the recovery and alleged violations, the accused was arrested on the spot and further legal proceedings were initiated.

Police did not immediately disclose details regarding the quantity of capsules recovered or the specific legal sections invoked in the case.

Authorities said investigations were underway to ascertain the source of the medicine and whether similar unauthorized sales had been taking place.

Police reiterated that strict action would continue against the illegal sale of prescription drugs and substances that may contribute to addiction and public health risks. [KNT]