Chamba Health Dept amplifies crackdown on pharmacies running sans pharmacists

Chamba Health Department authorities are contemplating strict action against pharmacies in the district operating without licensed pharmacists.

Inspections are underway at all pharmacies in the district to verify if licensed pharmacists have been deployed to dispense medications, or if unqualified personnel are performing these duties.

Any pharmacy found selling medication without a licensed pharmacist will face severe action. Health authorities will reach out to the State Drug Controller, recommending strict action against such shops.

Officials, during a recent surprise inspection, found that it had become a common practice among the drug stores to employ non-qualified persons to sell medicines. However, regulations stipulate that only licensed pharmacists can dispense medications to patients.

Pharmacies operating without a pharmacist could face closures as the department has adopted a strict stance on this issue. Inspection teams are conducting daily checks across the district, examining both medication records and verifying the presence of licensed pharmacists.

State Drug Controller Nishant Sareen said pharmacies operating without licensed pharmacists in Chamba were under investigation, and appropriate action would be taken against them as per regulations. Meanwhile, in the Salooni subdivision of the district, authorities have filed a case against the owner of a pharmacy after the operator failed to submit records of medications. A team of the department discovered drugs that could be used recreationally without purchase and sales records. On account of this, as well as failure to issue receipts to patients, a case was registered against the pharmacy owner.

The team also sealed 53 types of drugs found at the pharmacy.

The department plans to pursue legal action against the store, which may result in fines and penalties.

Further inspections at three other pharmacies in Salooni revealed similar issues, with patients not receiving receipts for their purchases.

Notices were issued to the owners of these stores, with instructions to respond within 15 days or face action.

The team also found another pharmacy at Chakloo where receipts were not provided to customers, and a notice was issued to the owner this pharmacy as well.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Bipin Thakur said maintaining records of controlled substances was mandatory for chemists, and non-compliance would result in strict penalties.