Kohima, 29th September 2026 (Nokinketer News): The Drugs Control Administration under the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, has issued a Health Safety Advisory cautioning the public against indiscriminate use of painkillers, particularly Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics, citing associated health risks including chronic kidney disease.
The advisory has been issued in pursuance of the directive and advisory of the Drugs Controller General (India), Central Drugs Control Organization, Government of India, with the objective of promoting safe and rational use of medicines and preventing avoidable risks to public health.
The department has advised the public not to take NSAIDs, painkillers or antibiotics indiscriminately, repeatedly or for prolonged periods without medical advice. It specifically cautioned against self-medication with antibiotics, particularly for conditions where antibiotic treatment is not clinically indicated, including most uncomplicated viral infections.
Patients prescribed antibiotics have been advised to take them strictly as directed by healthcare professionals and not share medicines with others or use leftover antibiotics.
Individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or other risk factors for renal impairment have been advised to inform their healthcare providers before taking NSAIDs. The public has also been urged to seek medical advice if pain, fever or other symptoms persist or recur instead of repeatedly using painkillers or antibiotics on their own.
For healthcare professionals, the advisory calls for NSAIDs and antibiotics to be prescribed only when clinically indicated, taking into consideration the patient’s age, medical condition, co-morbidities, other medicines and relevant risk factors.
In the case of NSAIDs, doctors have been advised to consider the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration, particularly for patients at increased risk of kidney impairment. Appropriate precautions should also be taken while prescribing NSAIDs to patients with renal impairment, dehydration, cardiovascular disease or other conditions that may increase associated risks.
On antibiotic use, the advisory stressed judicious prescribing in line with antimicrobial stewardship principles. Healthcare professionals have been advised to consider the likely causative organism, site and severity of infection and, where appropriate, relevant microbial investigations and local susceptibility patterns.
The department has cautioned against unnecessary combination therapy, inappropriate selection of antibiotics, incorrect dosing and unnecessarily prolonged antibiotic treatment.
The advisory also places responsibilities on pharmacists, retailers and distributors, directing them to strictly comply with statutory requirements governing the sale and distribution of Schedule H, H1 and other prescription drugs.
It stated that Schedule H and H1 medicines should not be sold at retail except in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Drugs Rules, 1945. Pharmacists and retailers have also been advised not to encourage or facilitate self-medication with antibiotics or prescription-only NSAIDs and to comply with the warnings and conditions of sale specified on medicine labels.
Hospitals and healthcare institutions have been advised to strengthen systems for rational prescribing and monitoring of NSAIDs and antibiotics. They have also been urged to promote antimicrobial stewardship, prescription review and appropriate counselling of patients.
The Drugs Control Administration has appealed to the public to use medicines responsibly and consult qualified healthcare professionals before taking prescription medicines, particularly when symptoms persist or require repeated medication.
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