Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 20: The Drug Control Department today continued its crackdown on errant drug sale establishments in Srinagar city, suspending the operations of 13 medical shops over two days for violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
Officials said that acting on the directions of the Drugs Controller, J&K, a special team constituted for District Srinagar conducted inspections on December 19 and 20 across several areas of the city.
“On the first day, the team inspected 22 retail and wholesale establishments in Hyderpora, outside the Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla and LD Hospital areas,” officials said. During the inspections, records related to habit-forming drugs were scrutinised and the availability and implementation of computerized billing systems and CCTV installations were verified.
Eight medical shops were found violating statutory provisions, following which their operations were suspended, notices were issued and the establishments were closed on the spot until further directions, officials said.
The concerned firms were issued on-the-spot directions to ensure proper maintenance of records for Schedule H and Schedule H1 drugs, with special emphasis on habit-forming medicines.
They were also directed to strictly adhere to hygienic standards and statutory record-keeping norms.
Officials warned that any future deviation or violation would invite strict action under the law.
The drive was continued on the second day in the Karan Nagar area and outside SMHS Hospital, where 19 retail drug sale establishments were inspected.
While CCTV cameras and computerized billing systems were found installed, records pertaining to NRx and habit-forming drugs were checked and found deficient in several cases.
As a result, the operations of five more medical shops were disallowed, notices were served and the establishments were closed on the spot for failure to maintain mandatory records as required under the Act.
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