2. • Introduction
• Definitions
• Need of PoisonsAct
• Objectives
• Import of Poisons
• Possession & Sale of Poisons
• Labelling of Poisons
• Containers
• Transport
• Preservation of Records
• Issue of Warrants
• Offences & Penalties
3. INTRODUCTION
 Also, known as Poisons Act, 1919.
 First passed in 1904. But, the rules under it were not sufficient to
control the trafficking of Poisons.
 The United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) government in 1910 as
well as 1914 proposed some radical amendments to make it more
effective.
 This view was supported by many local governments.
 Thus, Poisons Act of 1904 was replaced by Poisons Act,1919.
4.  The Poisons Act, 1919 was passed with a view to control
the Import, Possession & Sale of poisons.
 Central Govt. – Regulate import of Poisons in India.
 State Govt. – Make rules regarding the Possession & sale
of poisons in their respective territories.
5. DEFINITIONS
 Poison: -
 The act does not define the term “POISON”.
 All substances specified as poisons in notifications issued
under the act are to be deemed as “poisons”.
6. NEED OF POISONACT
 To avoid the malpractice of poison in case of using it to kill a
person or animal (mixing poison with fodder of cattle).
 To avoid any sort of mischief.
 If the poison at certain dose is used in treatment then to avoid self-
medication by people.
 To provide controlled medication by Registered Medical
Practitioner.
 Also to prevent illegal sale of poisons in the country or from
another country or to another country.
7. OBJECTIVES
1. To regulate import, possession & sale of poison in a
specified country or whole area.
2. To tighten the control over traffic in poison.
8. IMPORT OF POISONS
 Central Govt. – Gives license for import of Poisons.
 Without license Import of Poisons is prohibited.
 Persons licensed to import poisons should follow all the
conditions specified under theAct.
 Poison must be imported across one of the defined
customs frontiers.
11. POSSESSION & SALE OF POISONS
State government make rules
Regulate the possession & sale of poisons– Wholesale/ Retail
Within whole or any part of the territory under its administration
 Also, empowered to regulate the possession of any specified
poison in local area – Murdering or Mischief or Poisoning Cattle +
Where such instances are frequent.
12. Make Rules for –
1. Grant of licences – Wholesale or Retail of any
specified poison.
Also fix the fees to be paid for such licences.
2. Classes of persons Licences for Possession & sale of
Poisons are to be given + Categories of people to whom
the poisons may be sold.
13. 3. Maximum quantity of poison that may be sold to a person.
o Codeine cough preparations – Not more than 240 ml to
any individual or Not more than one codeine
preparations to be dispensed at one time.
4. Maintenance of Registers for sale of poisons – Persons
having licence to sale them.
14. Serial No. Licence
No.
Bill date Amount
bought
Amount
sold
Balance
stock
Signature
of the
buyer
Special
note
Address
Stock Register: -
15. 5. Make rules for safe custody of Poisons + Labelling of
vessels & coverings etc. – In which Poisons are stored
or sale.
6. For Inspection by persons on behalf of the State
government – Poisons & Records maintained for their
sale.
16. • Leak proof containers & easily distinguished from others by touch.
• Retail shop/ premises –
o Separate cupboard/ drawer
o Premises – separate partition & no customer should be allowed to enter.
o Shelf – solely for poisons & no food should be kept directly on the shelf.
• Institution –
o In Charge of person appointed by the governing body or person in charge of
the institution.
o Poisons mentioned in 1st Schedule – Cupboard or drawer or on a shelf
solely reserve for the purpose & container must also be made
distinguishable from others.
o Place where poisons are required to be stored – At regular time intervals
should be inspected by a pharmacist or person appointed for the purpose or
person in control of the institution.
POSSESSION OR STORAGE OF POISONS
18. POISON
English, Malay, Tamil, Chinese
POISON
XYZ
Cet-Q
Cephaloxin
Cephaloxin 10
Weight in Weight
Weight in Volume
Volume in Volume
ABC Pharma Pvt. Ltd.
Baddi, HP
RST Chemicals
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Address where the poison
is sold
19. • If the poison is packed in an ampoule, cachet or similar articles –
no need to label the article – if the box or outer covering is
labelled properly.
• If poison is in any tablet, pill, cachet, lozenge or similar article, or
in an ampoule – No. of articles which are poison & amount of
Poison should be mentioned.
• If the poison (other than included in 1st Schedule) is sold in
container & outer covering, it is sufficient if the name of the seller
& address of the premises where it was sold appears on the outer
covering only.
20. TRANSPORT
• Must be transported in leak proof containers only.
• Must not be transported with food.
21. PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
• Must be preserved at the premises where it is sold for a
period of 2 years from the date of sale or supply or the
date on which entry was made in the book or record,
whichever is earlier.
22. OFFENCES & PENALTIES
1. Offence: -
Import or possession or sale of any poison not mentioned in the
Act.
Penalty: -
• 1st conviction:- Imprisonment upto 3 months or fine upto
Rs. 500 or both.
• 2nd conviction:- Imprisonment upto 6 months or fine upto
1000 Rs. or both.
23. 2. Offence: -
Possessing nay poison whose possession is prohibited by the
State government.
Penalty: -
• 1st conviction:- Imprisonment upto 3 months or fine upto
Rs. 500 or both.
• 2nd conviction:- Imprisonment upto 6 months or fine upto
1000 Rs. or both.
24. ISSUE OF WARRANTS
• Warrant may be issued by: -
o District Magistrate
o Sub-divisional Magistrate
o Commissioner of Police
• Person to whom warrants are directed have the power to
enter & search the place in accordance with the warrant.