Surprise checks held at medical shops

Rajendranagar: Cracking the whip on 'over the counter' (OTC) sales of medicines, the officials of Drug Control Administration made surprise inspections of medical shops in several areas under Rajendranagar zone.

The officials, acting on reports of substance abuse and over the counter sale of medicines in a section of media recently, made the surprise visits. "We have made inspections in several areas like Sulaiman Nagar, Shastripuram, Chintalmet and Mailardevpally to Chandrayangutta and found several instances of discrepancies and violations in medical shops.

At several shops no pharmacists were found and sale of medicines without prescription was also observed. A few more violations have been noticed during the inspections for which we have taken cognisance and notices are being issued," said Lakshmalla Raju, Drug Inspector (Rajendranagar), Drugs Control Administration.

Notices seeking explanations would reach the erring establishments soon and 3 to 15 days time would be given, depending severity of the violations. "If they fail to provide any reasonable explanation within stipulated time, we will certainly act against them with appropriate sections. Cancellation of licence could be possible if the offenders fail to submit sufficient explanations during the notice period," he warned.

Recently, reports of substance abuse and over the counter sale of medicines appeared in the section of media highlighting a few areas wherein group of people especially the teenagers were seen fighting each other under the influence of addictives. It is said that Rajendranagar police apprehended some of the nuisance makers and booked them under relevant sections in deterrence after receiving several complaints from the area.