Hyderabad: DCA officials seal several pharmacies on city outskirts

Rangareddy: Not satisfied with the clarifications by the errant pharmacists against the notices issued to them over the reported violations, the authorities of the Drug Control Administration (DCA) today cancelled licences of several shops in the Balapur area under Jalpally municipality and later shut them down completely. It is said that over half a dozen shops were closed today in areas such as Saif Colony, Shaheen Nagar, Quba Colony, and Pahadi Shareef areas.

Talking about the deterrent action taken by the DCA against the violations committed by some of the pharmacists while performing business, Drug Inspector Ravi Vadthiya said, "Almost 19 shops have been found violating the rules during the inspections and notices were slapped upon them under Drug and Cosmetic Act few days ago seeking clarification."

However, he said, not satisfied with the replies placed by the errant chemists, the DCA authorities have placed licences of all 19 shops under suspension for a week as a punishment. "In order to implement the orders, atleast eight pharmacies were closed today for a week. Four shops in Saif Colony, three in Shaheen Nagar, and one at Quba Colony were seized today while action will be initiated against other shops in a phased manner," the official explained.

It is pertinent to mention here that a team of DCA officials made surprise inspections last months. According to the official, violations of rules such as having no chemists to address consumers, selling medicines without a prescription, and business without sale bills were found during the inspections.

Earlier, it was reported that over the counter sale (OTC) of medicines through pharmacies in the city outskirts, especially, in the Balapur area, went haywire, resulting in an increase of substance abuse cases in the area.

It was learnt that children as young as 10-15 years old are easily getting the medicines – which are supposed to be sold only after furnishing the prescription slip issued by the registered medical practitioners and are using it to intoxicate themselves for pleasure. Some youngsters were even found using short-term painkillers like Tapnice-50 and Meftal tablets which were generally prescribed for overcoming kidney pain.