UT Health Department initiates legal action against chemists

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

A day after teams of the UT Health Department raided chemist shops in Maloya and Dadu Majra, legal proceedings were initiated against the chemists.

As per the official communique, the action has been taken against the erring chemists in accordance with provisions of the Drug and Cosmetics Act.

Notably, Schedule H drugs were being sold in the absence of a qualified pharmacist by A Square Pharmacy at Guru Nanak Complex in Dadu Majra. Further, the sales record was kept in a computer and the chemist was not maintaining its hard copy, thereby violating Section 65.(2) of the Drug and Cosmetics Act.

At Shri Balaji Medicos in Sector 38 (West), a qualified pharmacist was present but the employee was found selling gastric medicine without the prescription of an RMP, thereby violating Rule 65 3(1) of the Act. Further, the drug licence was not displayed at the store.

A qualified practitioner was found absent at Mehta Medicos in Sector 38 (West) during the time of the raid.

Chohan Medicos, operating from a house in Maloya village, did not keep the purchase record in a chronological order, violating Rule 65 4(ii) of the Act.

At Vishal Medicos in Panchayat Market, Maloya, Schedule H drugs were being sold in the absence of a qualified pharmacist.

Besides violating Rule 65 (2) of the Drug and Cosmetics Act, the communique stated that Vishal Medicos did not show the sales and purchase records. Hence, two more sections of the Drug and Cosmetics Act were slapped against the chemist.

Similarly, a qualified pharmacist was not present at Krishna Medicos in Maloya and the chemist refused to show the sales record.

At Kailash Medical, Chandigarh Market, Maloya Colony, the purchase record was not kept in a chronological order. The sales record of Medicure Corner Shop in Maloya was found incomplete. Dr GDewan, Director, Health Services, said the drive initiated by them would continue in future too and strict action would be taken against the defaulters.