BHIMBER (Kashmir English): The Health Department in Bhimber on Friday sealed one medical store and one private clinic over alleged regulatory violations across the district, while three other medical stores were issued warnings.
According to the Health Department spokesperson, Deputy Drug Controller Bhimber Muhammad Sohail conducted surprise inspections of medical stores and clinics to ensure the availability of safe, authentic, and quality medicines and curb illegal medical practices.
The spokesperson said that the main objective of the inspection was to ensure the implementation of the Drug Act 1976 and the Drug Sales Rules, prevent the illegal purchase and sale of medicines, expired, unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled medicines, as well as unauthorised clinics operating inside medical stores.
In addition, the drug sale licence, availability of qualified personnel, records of purchase and sale of medicines, bills and invoices, registration and legal status of medicines, safe storage of medicines, and cleanliness were checked during the inspection.
As per the statement, the department sealed one medical store over the absence of authentic medicine purchase records, bills and invoices, along with violations of its drug sale licence conditions.
A private clinic was also sealed over alleged illegal medical practice and medicine-related violations.
In addition, three medical stores were issued warnings for various shortcomings and non-compliance with legal requirements and were directed to address deficiencies within seven days.
Furthermore, samples of four medicines were collected and sent to the drug testing laboratory for analysis and necessary action, the spokesperson added.
On this occasion, Deputy Drug Controller Muhammad Sohail directed medical store operators to maintain complete purchase records and invoices, display valid licences, ensure the presence of qualified personnel and store medicines at appropriate temperatures.
He also stressed the need to separate expired medicines and maintain proper records of controlled drugs.
District Health Officer Dr Shahzad Ghazanfar said providing safe and quality medicines to the public was a priority for the government and the Health Department. He warned that illegal medical practice, unauthorised clinics and unlicensed doctors would not be tolerated, adding that action would be taken against violators in accordance with the law.
“All relevant institutions and medical store administrations should ensure strict implementation of legal requirements,” he said.
