7 drug retail shops closed, 5 licenses suspended in Kashmir
As many as seven drug retail shops were closed while five drug licenses were suspended by Department of Drug and Food Control Organisation (D&FCO) for violating various guidelines in Kashmir valley.
An official spokesperson said that in order to curb the illegal sale of Psychotropic/Habit forming drugs, a special drive was held across various districts of Kashmir by the D&FCO.
“The drive was conducted on the directions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, and in this regard D&FCO Government of J&K had constituted various teams in collaboration with the Legal Metrology department to carry out comprehensive market checking of drug sale establishments,” he said.
He said the drives were conducted in districts including Budgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Kupwara.
“During the drive, 163 establishments were inspected 11 show cause notices were issued to the Retail/Wholesale establishments of which seven were closed down on spot for various violations vis-à-vis non-maintenance of sale and purchase records, improper storage of drugs, unhygienic conditions of premises and non-issuance of bills/ cash memos,” he said.
He said licenses of five shops were suspended and a total fine of Rs 42, 800 was imposed. “The stakeholders were directed to maintain records of Psychotropic/Habit forming properly and on spot instructions were issued to the license holders for strict adherence to the SOPs of the license,” he said.
He said the Chemists were again warned and given strict instructions to maintain sale and purchase records of various Psychotropic drugs properly, to maintain storage conditions of the drugs as per their requirement and issue bills/ cash memos regularly.
“During this special drive they were once again sensitized to retain the photocopy of the prescription wherein Schedule H1 and Psychotropic drugs have been prescribed for record and reference purpose so that misuse of such drugs is minimized,” he said.
“Meanwhile, general public is informed through the medium of this notice to lodge complaints with regard to any violation/ discrepancies encountered against any drug sale establishment on helpline No. 0194-2455384, 2495191 or email at [email protected]/ [email protected] of Divisional Covid-19 Control Room Kashmir. It was given out that the drive in this regard shall continue in future also,” he added.
UNI ABS
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