Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 30: Government has ordered the immediate suspension of operations of 27 drug establishments across Jammu province for their alleged involvement in violating the regulatory provisions.
The action followed a concerted drive launched by the Drugs and Food Control Organisation Jammu led by Mohammad Iqbal Palla, Deputy Drugs Controller, Jammu against the sale of substandard drugs and unethical medical practices.
As per a statement, the primary focus of the drive is to ensure the availability of genuine and quality medicines while tackling the illicit sale of formulations with the potential of intoxication.
“During the recent drives, operations of 27 drug establishments, 18 in Jammu, 2 each in Udhampur, Reasi, and Rajouri Districts, and one each in Doda, Kathua, and Kishtwar Districts, were disallowed under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, for violating regulatory provisions,” said a Drugs and Food Control Organisation official. He said that offenders were also cautioned against the malpractices.
“Approximately 150 drug formulations underwent random sampling to determine strength, purity, and other quality parameters, with samples sent to drugs testing laboratories for the legal opinion,” he further said.
Awareness programs involving youth and stakeholders have also been initiated in coordination with District Administration to educate communities on substance abuse hazards, added the Drugs and Food Control Organisation official.
“Legal actions against violators resulted in penalties exceeding Rs 8 lakh and imprisonment in specific cases. Recent measures include the cancellation of over a hundred non-operative drug sale licenses to prevent misuse,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lotika Khajuria, State Drugs Controller, J&K, has urged the Pharma fraternity to strictly adhere to licensing conditions and avoid unlawful activities.
Empowered Drug Control Authorities have also been directed to enforce the installation of CCTV cameras and encourage computerized billing systems among chemists for record-keeping, emphasizing public interest in maintaining transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical sector.
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