— In a major step toward combating substance abuse, the Punjab Government has cancelled the licenses of 12 pharmaceutical firms involved in selling drug formulations containing pregabalin, a widely misused neurological medication.
The revelation came during a Lok Sabha session on Friday, where Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda responded to a query raised by Congress MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Aujla.
Pregabalin, typically prescribed for epilepsy and certain psychiatric conditions, has become a drug of abuse among youth, particularly during rave parties and underground gatherings. Its misuse has been flagged as a growing public health concern in Punjab and other northern states.
The Health Department in Punjab had earlier conducted raids at 72 locations across the state to curb the illegal sale and distribution of the drug. The recent license cancellations are a direct outcome of those enforcement efforts, aimed at dismantling networks facilitating unauthorized access to prescription narcotics.
📈 Positive Trend in Girls’ Education Also Highlighted
In a separate development, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, shared encouraging data related to female education in Punjab. Responding to Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, she stated that Punjab had recorded a 9% increase in girls’ enrolment in senior secondary schools over the past decade.
According to the District Information System for Education (DISE) report by the Ministry of Education, enrolment of girls rose from 83.21% in 2014-15 to 94.2% in 2023-24.
This marks a significant leap in educational access for young women in the state, showcasing progress in gender equality and the positive impact of educational policies.
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