Mizoram health minister R. Lalthangliana on Tuesday cautioned people of the state against taking chloroquine hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin without prescription.

The health minister said he came to know that some had purchased the medicines without doctor’s prescriptions.

“These medicines are powerful drugs consumption of which without a doctor’s prescription can cause side effects. People should avoid taking such medicines without medical practitioners’ prescriptions,” he said.

The vice-chairman of the health and family welfare board, Z.R. Thiamsanga, asked people not to hoard personal protective equipment (PPE).

Speaking to reporters here, he said the PPE is meant for health and frontline workers. “I request those who have already purchased the equipment to donate those to the authorities,” he said.

Thiamsanga said the government had planned to provide PPE and other protective equipment to all district hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.

Thiamsanga, who headed the Covid-19 Medical Operation Committee, said the next week would be crucial and asked people to stay at home as there is a possibility of largescale spread of the virus.

Dr Hrekima, a psychiatrist and a member of the committee, said there are four stages in the spread of coronavirus and Mizoram is currently at stage one.

“The first stage is related to imported case, second stage is local transmission, the third stage is community transmission and stage four is Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

He advised all to strictly adhere to social-distancing norms and wash hands regularly.