MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Public Health Department of Azad Kashmir has taken action against Shakeel Wholesale Distributor in Muzaffarabad for allegedly changing labels on expired medicines.
Upon getting the information, the District Drug Controller immediately reached the spot and found that the accused, Shakeel and Sadaqat, were changing the labels of expired normal saline drips and pasting new labels on the expired stock.
As per the press release, the drug controller officials seized 20 cartons of normal saline drips worth approximately Rs 50,000 and sealed the store after finding evidence of label tampering.
The department officials said that the store has been sealed, and the process of license cancellation has been initiated.
It was reported that the store owners resisted the action during the raid, prompting the authorities to call in the police to seal the premises.
The case has been sent to the drug court for a final decision, and the store will remain sealed until the court’s decision, the press release added.
Moreover, the drug authority added that in this case, the law does not allow for appropriate action under the FIR. “Now the final decision of this case has to be taken by the drug court, which is the responsibility of the drug court.”
As the case was reported, Kashmir Digital learnt that after a few hours, the owners of the drug store were released due to the political approach.
The fake medicine scandal has irked citizens, as a protest will be held outside the Muzaffarabad Press Club at 12 pm tomorrow, May 20, against the nexus of the health department, police, and the covert patronage of the mafia.
While giving his opinion on the scandal, Chairman of the Central Association of Traders of Muzaffarabad, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, has demanded a transparent investigation and strict punishment for those involved in the crime.
He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to bring all perpetrators to justice, suggesting that the large-scale nature of the crime implies involvement of multiple individuals or institutional corruption.
He added that a protest will be held tomorrow outside the Muzaffarabad Press Club to raise awareness about the issue and demand action against the mafia and corrupt officials.
