18 June 2011
New Delhi,India
Most of the chemist shops in Delhi, including those in major hospitals, have been found to be selling medicines banned by the central government.
The drugs found during Union health ministry raids includes popular diabetes drug Rosiglitazone, antibiotic drug Gatifloxicin and Tegaserod, a medicine used to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
A ministry spokesperson said: The inspections were carried out in different areas of Delhi like Green Park, Saket, Lajpat Nagar, Rohini, Janakpuri, Dwarka, Mayur Vihar and certain chemist shops in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. It was found that 85 of the 134 outlets raided were selling the prohibited drugs. Stern action will be taken against the violators – the retailers and the companies.’
The ministry prohibited the manufacture, sale and distribution of Rosiglitazone and its formulations last November, and that of Gatifloxacin formulations for systemic use in human beings by any route and Tegaserod and its formulations from this March.
DCGI has banned these drugs on the recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the highest decision-making body under the Union health ministry on technical matters related to health issues. These drugs were found to have adverse effects on human health.
Officials said these chemists had been issued Form 15, prohibiting them from disposing of the stocks of the drugs.
Further investigations are being carried out to start proceedings against the offenders. The illegal sale of banned drugs is a non-bailable offence, and if proved, carries a punishment of three years in prison and a fine,’ the official said.
In early June, Delhi Police busted an organized ring selling spurious medicines andthose meantfor CGHS, MCD, ESI and even the Director-General of Armed Forces Medical Services for the past 10 years.
While the raids in were conducted on June 3 and yielded drugs worth Rs 8 lakh, the Agra raids on June 6 coughed up drugs worth Rs 34 lakh. The police said this gang was selling 115 different kinds of drugs without any licence.
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