Health Dept, police conduct raid at Jan Aushadhi Kendra

Functioning of a Pradhan Mantri Bhartia Jan Aushadhi Kendra, situated at PUDA market here, has come under the scanner as members of a joint team of the Punjab Police and Health Department seized pharmaceutical preparations suspected to be used as habit-forming drugs.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Karamjit Singh Grewal, in-charge, Narcotic Cell, Khanna and Drug Inspector Rohit Kalra led the personnel of their respective departments during a raid conducted as part of ongoing ‘Yudha Nashian Virudh’ drive being conducted under supervision of SSP, Khanna, Dr Jyoti Yadav.

Though DSP Grewal and Drug Inspector Kalra acknowledged the raid as a response to complaints received regarding illegalities at the Aushadhi Kendra, they declined to divulge details of the outcome of the action, as according to them, the process was yet to

be completed.

“As we are yet to complete the raid proceedings, we can’t divulge details at this stage,” said Grewal when asked about details of pharmaceutical preparations taken away by the joint team.

Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened under Pradhan Mantri Bhartia Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna with the intent to enable patients to purchase medicines at affordable prices.

The authorities had received complaints about the alleged illegal sale of some habit-forming tablets and capsules in the guise of dedicated services being provided by the government.

Meanwhile, chemist shop owners of the area have welcomed the initiative taken by the administration to check the alleged illegal sale of pharmaceutical preparations other than those allowed under the scheme. “Though the authorities inspected our outlets too, nothing objectionable was recovered from any of the stores,” said Parminder Bhangu, a chemist shop owner, demanding that the action initiated against the Kendra should be taken to its logical conclusion.