Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Feb 10 (KINS): Authorities have taken a serious note that scores of medical shops were operating illegally in Kashmir and have directed concerned officials to ensure their closure.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that administration has taken a serious note that scores of medical shops were operating illegally in Kashmir. Some of the medical shops are being run by unqualified people.
“Most of medical shops are in far-flung areas are without registration. Government has directed concerned officials to ensure that no drug store is allowed to operate without following rules,” they said. There is mushroom growth of illegal medical shops in Kashmir.
An official at the office of Drug and Food Control Organisation said there are complaints that several drugs available on drug stores are being misused in Kashmir.
“There are some drugs which can’t be given without the doctors’ prescription letter. But still some drug stores are selling these drugs,” the official said.
The official said that authorities have directed concerned officials to regulate the working of drug stores. “There are some drug addicts who don’t consume heroin and opium but taking drugs from drug stores and is equally dangerous,” the official said.
Sources told local agency KINS in several areas of Anantnag and Kulgam, like Kamad, Chchripora, Gundjafar, Lalan, Sadoora, Larkipora, Dialgam, Bona Dialgam, Brienty, Achabal, Shangus, Kokernag, Villoo, Hiller Kokernag, Saagam and Pahalgam areas, even the working government employees including teachers are running chemist shops where they are regarded as self-styled doctors.
As per rules, a chemist should possess a diploma in pharmacy and can run a medical shop after getting a proper license.
“However, most of the medical shops running in Anantnag town and other rural areas here do not operate as per the norms. At some places, dental assistants are running dental shops illegally,” an official of Drug and Food Control Organisation, said.
“Every pharmacist must keep a record of medicines he sells against each prescription. Also a proper ledger and record needs to be maintained on the storage and sale of sedative drugs like codeine which is also being sold in black market by the peddlers,” the official said.
“The unlicensed pharmacies have also been found in selling such sedative drugs openly on desired rates,” the official said. (KINS)
