Srinagar: In a major step to safeguard public health and prevent the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a comprehensive enforcement drive across the Union Territory. The initiative, spearheaded by the Drug & Food Control Organization (DFCO), aims to ensure that pharmacies and drug outlets adhere strictly to legal and regulatory norms.
As part of the drive, DFCO officers conducted surprise inspections across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The objective was to identify violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and to crack down on the unauthorized sale of psychotropic and prescription drugs.
During the inspections, the Drug Sale Licenses of eight pharmacies were cancelled for failing to maintain proper records of habit-forming drugs and for not implementing computerized billing systems. The erring establishments include: Aatir Enterprises, Ganjiwara, Anantna Al-Mehdi Medicate Shehjar Pharmacy, Budgam Medicity Pharmacy, Chadoor New Bhat Medicate, Chadoor Dar Medicate, Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam Pharma Plus Medicare, near Zara Diagnostic Lab, Kheora, Rajouri Happy Saini Medical Hall, Haria Chak, Marheen
Additionally, 75 retail drug sale outlets were ordered to suspend operations on the spot under Section 22(d) of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act for reasons including poor record maintenance, impersonation, and improper storage of drugs. These included: 9 outlets each in Jammu, Rajouri, and Anantnag 6 each in Kupwara and Budgam 5 each in Udhampur and Kulgam 4 in Pulwama 3 each in Kathua, Samba, Ramban, Doda, Baramulla, and Shopian 2 in Poonch, and 1 each in Reasi, Kishtwar, Srinagar, Ramban, Ganderbal, and an additional one in Kathua
In addition, more than 500 drug samples from various categories were collected for quality testing. These samples have been sent to Drug Testing Laboratories within J&K to determine their strength and purity and to frame legal opinions.
Furthermore, drug stocks worth ₹8,40,348, found in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, were seized by DFCO Regulatory Officers under Section 23 of the Act.
State Drugs Controller Lotika Khajuria has once again urged the pharmaceutical trade community to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of their licenses.
