Generic drugs online

Source: Kashmir Observer

Date: 6-May-2008

Srinagar, May 06, KONS: With the drug controller tightening the screws on the sale of sub-standard and addictive pharmaceuticals, five more pharmacies have been sealed, with action having been ordered against the individuals running them.

The trade in sub-standard drugs is so lucrative that people are running pharmacies side by side with public phone booths, commonly called STDs, and they don't feel the need of a license or a permit.

Reports said that a team from the food and drug control department in Kashmir raided a number of shops from Pattan to Narbal this week, seizing not only a large quantity of expired addictive drugs, but also sealed the shop of an owner who originally ran a phone booth, but had expanded to pharmaceuticals seeing the huge profits in the trade.

The team raided an STD shop in Mujgund and seized pharmaceuticals which only a registered medical practitioner can sell.

The owner was reported to be selling drugs without prescriptions.

Three more shops were sealed in Chak Mujgund for similar reasons and for not possessing the mandatory licenses.

A large quantity of addictive Corex and Codeine was seized from the shop.

The team came across another large haul of sub-standard and expired drugs from a shop "Orbis" on the HMT road.

Though the owner possessed a license, he had stocked a large quantity of expired drugs in the shop, most of which adorned his counter, sources said.

A drug inspector said that two persons, identified as Parvez Ahmad and Naseer Ahmad, where among those whose shops were sealed, and a large stock of addictive drugs had been seized from the duo.

The High Court is said to have directed the drug control authorities to launch a vigorous campaign to curb the dangerous trade in addictive, sub-standard and expired drugs.

The drug control department has framed raiding parties for the four districts of Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Srinagar which will intensify there operations by this week end.

The High Court has also called for an awareness campaign to apprise the public about the dangers of using sub-standard, addictive and expired pharmaceuticals so that people verify the date, quality and price at the time of purchasing drugs.

The Court has warned against encouraging elements engaged in illegal drug trade and called for stern action against those involved.