Mizoram Health Minister and Excise Minister lead discussion on cough syrup abuse

Mizoram Health Minister and Excise Minister lead discussion on cough syrup abuse

Aizawl, October 6, 2026: Under the leadership of Health Minister Pi Lalrinpuii and Excise & Narcotics Minister Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar, an important Inter-Ministerial Meeting was held yesterday at 5:30 PM at the SAD Conference Hall, MINECO, involving officials from the Health Department, Excise & Narcotics Department, and Central YMA leaders to deliberate on the rising menace of cough syrup abuse in Mizoram.

It was observed that with heroin—widely considered the most dangerous and concerning narcotic—becoming increasingly scarce, many individuals are turning toward intoxicating pharmaceutical drugs. The meeting noted that significant quantities of abused pharmaceuticals have already been seized, and several licensed pharmacy owners have been apprehended and booked in court over irregularities in importing and selling these drugs.

Discussions highlighted that codeine syrup has become the most widely abused drug. While pharma dealers bring large quantities into Mizoram and the medicine is meant to be sold strictly as a prescription-only drug, immense quantities continue to leak into illicit circulation without prescriptions. Its abuse has become rampant among youths, ordinary citizens, and even children. Due to stringent regulations, it has become difficult to purchase even for genuine patients at standard pharmacies; however, clandestine black-market sales remain rampant. It was noted that apart from certain pharmacy dealers, numerous individuals identifying as Medical Representatives focus heavily on distributing such drugs, and codeine syrup along with various other intoxicating substances has now reached even the most remote corners of Mizoram.

Source & Wire Service: Prasar Bharati SHABD (DD / Akashvani News)