Dimapur, August 29: The Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) has condemned the alleged illegal trade of pharmaceutical drugs following the seizure of 19,760 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup by Dimapur Police on August 28, 2026, while clarifying that the person arrested in connection with the case is not affiliated with the association.
Speaking to Nagaland News Network (NNN) on August 28, NMDA Grievances Cell member Tovika Sumi said the association welcomed the police action and strongly condemned the illegal sale and distribution of restricted medicines.
Sumi clarified that the accused, 29-year-old Monthan Mura, is not a member of the NMDA and that the godown from where the seizure was reportedly made is also not listed with the association.
He said codeine-based cough syrup is a restricted medicine and can be sold only under a doctor’s prescription, with proper documentation and records maintained by licensed dealers.
The Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department’s notification dated February 3, 2023, restricts the sale, distribution and stocking of codeine and other specified medicines in the state, while prescribing quantity limits and record-keeping requirements for licensed wholesalers and retailers.
Meanwhile, the Drugs Control Officer, Dimapur, told NNN on August 28 that the department had no comment on the matter at this stage but would fully cooperate with the police and provide necessary assistance in the ongoing investigation.
