6 medical stores sealed for flouting drug laws

[Naveed Yaseen]

* QCB decides to take further action against violators
* Chief commissioner orders stern action against quacks

By Fazal Sher

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has sealed six medical stores for violating Drug Act 1976 and decided to take further legal action against them.

The decision was made on Tuesday in a meeting of ICT Quality Control Board (QCB), held under the chairmanship of the chief commissioner and chairman of QCB, Fazeel Asghar. Officials told Daily Times that the QCB discussed seven cases of violations of Drug Act 1976 and decided to take further legal action against the violators as per Drug Act and Drug Rules.

The board was informed that Zafar Medical Store in Noorpur Shahan was sealed for 14 days on account of recovery of un-registered medicines and lack of drug sale licence.

The officials said the board had decided that since mandatory sealing period was complete, the medical store be de-sealed and the case against the offender be referred to Rawalpindi Drug Court.

The board was informed that Marwat Medical Store, again in Noorpur Shahan, was sealed for 14 days after recovery of narcotics and lack of drug sale licence and record of sale and purchase.

The officials said the meeting had decided to de-seal the medical store and refer the case against the violator to the Rawalpindi Drug Court. They said un-registered medicines had been recovered from Manshaallah Medical Store in Bhara Kahu and it was sealed for seven days.

They said further legal action against the violator would be decided in the next meeting of the board.

They said the board had issued warning to Naeem Medical Store in Bhara Kahu against violation of Drug Rules. They said a ‘mobile quack’ moving on motorcycle at Kahuta Road had been arrested and would be prosecuted in the court of law.

They said the meeting had decided to seal Medicine Point in G-9 Markaz for seven days for selling expired medicines. The board had decided that Al-Noor Medical Store in I-10 Markaz would remain closed till a licence was issued to its owner.

Chief Commissioner Fazeel Asghar directed ICT District Health Officer (DHO) and other officials to launch a coordinated drive against quacks and take necessary action against those involved in illegal medical practices.

The meeting was attended by chairman of the Ministry of Health Quality Control Board, Dr Abul Rasheed, Additional Deputy Commissioner General (ADCG) Rana Akbar Hayat, DHO Dr Amirzada and Drug Inspector Muhammad Shafiq Khan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_1