Druggists play with lives in Karimnagar

 

Karimnagar district registers the highest sales of drugs in the country, thanks to the purchasing power of people. The rise in the sales has prompted many people to establish medical outlets in the city and other towns of the district. 

Meanwhile, major hospitals have set up stores of drugs on their own premises. In the recent times, these stores are reportedly indulging in certain irregularities. For instance, these 13 medical stores located in different towns in the district were found violating rules like overpricing, running shops on unlicensed premises and unhygienic conditions, selling poor quality and medicines nearing expiry dates, lack of maintenance of records, etc., during the surprise checks carried out by a special team of drugs control administration on May 6 and 7. 

 

The district appeared in the fourth position as 12 medical outlets were booked for minor violations and a store belonging to Vijayalaxmi Clinic of Husnabad was booked for major violations including various provisions of Drugs Act-1940. Authorities of drugs control administration issued show-cause notices to the 12 outlets. 

 

When asked, the concerned authorities were reluctant to disclose the list of 12 pharmacy outlets. It is alleged that many drugs are being sold at higher rates than the MRP. Ironically, a drug is disposed at varied prices by different stores in the city. It is learned that the managements of drug stores are committing violations for earning huge profits in shorter period.