Over 11,000 Buprenorphine tablets stolen from Moga hospital

Buprenorphine is a controlled substance under NDPS Act and is often misused by drug addicts as a substitute for heroin and other opioids, making the theft a serious concern.

More than 11,000 tablets of Buprenorphine, a narcotic-grade drug used for pain relief and in de-addiction therapy, have been stolen from the Civil Hospital in Moga, police said on Wednesday.

The Buprenorphine stock was kept in the store room of the Moga Civil Hospital along with other medicines. When the staff opened the store on Tuesday morning, they found the stock missing. (Representational photo)

Senior medical officer Dr Harinder Sood said the Buprenorphine stock was kept in the hospital’s store room along with other medicines. “When the staff opened the store on Tuesday morning, they found the stock missing. The locks had been broken, and we immediately informed the police,” he said.

Sources in the hospital said that the store room lacked CCTV surveillance and security guards, raising questions about safety and oversight.

Civil surgeon Pardeep Mahindra sought an action-taken report from the SMO, directing a detailed inquiry into how such a large quantity of controlled drugs had gone missing.

Buprenorphine is a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and is often misused by drug addicts as a substitute for heroin and other opioids, making the theft a serious concern for law-enforcement agencies.

Dr Sood said that hospital staff are reviewing stock records to determine whether any other medicines were also stolen.

Police sources said they are examining the possibility of insider involvement and will be recording statements of hospital staff.

A case was registered against unidentified persons.