Lucknow, Nov. 15 -- The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has sent suggestions to the Central government for comprehensive changes in the drug distribution system, to curb the illegal trade in codeine-based cough syrup, a spokesperson said. The department's investigation revealed that large quantities of codeine-based cough syrup were being billed, but the products were not reaching the authorised retail market. This raised concerns about their non-medical use and commercial diversion instead of medical use. For a permanent solution to this problem, the department has suggested measures to control the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to wholesalers. The department stresses that codeine-based syrup should be supplied only through established and authorised distribution channels, and that the record of movement of every consignment should be available with the concerned state. To improve this system, it has been suggested that Laborate, Abbott, 3B, Wings and other major companies supply their products only through their authorised CFAs and through established and valid stockists in Uttar Pradesh. The arrangement of creating separate parallel distribution channels by bringing in outside persons only for codeine products should be stopped. This will help fix accountability for every consignment and get the medicines to the authorised retail market, according to a release....