SRINAGAR: Sub-standard drugs are still being sold in the Kashmir valley, where people took to streets and observed general strike against the supply of spurious drugs, particularly in the government-run hospitals and health centres.
As many as 61 samples collected were found substandard during last five months of current fiscal in the Kashmir division, where Rs 5.79 lakh worth substandard drugs have also been seized.
Controller, Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO), Dr Satish Gupta said 912 Saturday drug samples have been lifted from different parts of the Kashmir division during the last five months of the current fiscal. Of these, 832 tests of different drugs were received, he said, adding that out of which 61 found substandard.
He said that 21 prosecutions have been launched, 5 cases decided by the Court with quantum of imprisonment and fine.
Mr Gupta said that 421 licenses have been issued to retail, wholesale dealers and Manufacturers and an amount of Rs 22.35 lakh license fee realised.
He said 4623 inspections have been conducted on different sale outlets in the Kashmir division adding that over Rs 5.79 lakh worth substandard drugs have also been seized.
The government has asked the DFCO to ensure that no drug sub-outlets operate on proxy basis anywhere in the State.
The government has also ordered that drug shops should be only run by license holders, issued by the competent authority of the organisation.
They said the direction were issued by the Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan while chairing review meeting of DFCO held here today. He said that drug shops should only be operated by licensed holders.
“It is matter of health care and we have to ensure that drugs are only sold by trained pharmacists having requisite certificates and license from the Organisation,” he instructed.
He directed field functionaries to keep close vigil on spurious drugs in the markets especially in rural drug shops where such practices are more common to play with the health of innocent patients.
Spurious drugs and proxy drug outlets should be seized and guilty holders booked under the Act, he asserted. Mr Khan also stressed on lifting samples of different edibles in the market for testing to ensure that no adulteration is made harming the health of the people.
He directed that such manufacturers and shopkeepers should be fined and booked under the law without giving any concession, even under the Act their units should be sealed and licenses canceled.
