Unauthorised drug shops galore city

THOUSANDS of people of this city are purchasing drugs, including the life-saving ones, from unauthorised shops as most whole-sale and retail medicine shops are running their establishments without the drug licences being renewed for the past 20 years.

THOUSANDS of people of this city are purchasing drugs, including the life-saving ones, from unauthorised shops as most whole-sale and retail medicine shops are running their establishments without the drug licences being renewed for the past 20 years.

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As many as 900 unauthaurised whole-sale and 2800 retail drug shops are selling drugs, and this is happening in violation of the Indian Drug Act that makes renewal of a drug licence mandatory within six months of its expiry.

This fact came to light during an inquiry by a deputy chief medical officer, following the arrest of two drug dealers, from Savitri Market, in Birhana Road, on February 2.

The drug dealers were arrested after a complaint by a social organisation, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance headed by former Director General of Punjab Police, Julius Fransis Rebeiro.

Taking exception to gross violation of the rules, chief medical Officer Dr VS Singh, who was talking to the Hindustan Timesa , said, “Now, it is the responsibility of the drug controller to conduct an impartial inquiry into this crime by the drug department. At my level, I am going to ask them to sort out this matter at the earliest.”

The drug department had filed a case, under section 27 A of the Indian Drug Act at Harbanshmohal police station, against Rajesh Gupta, owner of SK-RK firm and Sanjay Gupta. The arrested drug dealers were denied bail by the court.

According to drug department norms, any drug dealer after the expiry of his registration could get the renewal certificate (21 C) from the drug department, by depositing a certain amount in bank and subsequently, a certificate is issued by the treasury.

The drug department officials feel that discrepancies galore and for more than 15 years, there has been no renewal of drug licences.

Assistant Drug Controller PR Singh said, “It is true that certificate 21 C has not been issued for more than 15 years. I have written to the Drug Controller in Lucknow, Commissioner Kanpur Zone and the District Magistrate, requesting them, to take stern action against the guilty officials of the drug department.”

Earlier, all rights pertaining to the Drug Act was taken from the Chief Medical Officer and given to the Drug Controller in Lucknow and since 2002,
there has been no drug licensing authority (DLA) in the city.