Srinagar, Nov 23: J&K Chemists and druggists association have supported the action taken by Drug and  Food Control Organisation against the chemists not adhering to the provisions of the Drug and Cosmetic Act, an official spokesman said on Wednesday. 
 He said the President and members of the Association called on the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, here this afternoon and discussed various issues with him.
 “The Association stated that there are no spurious drugs in the Valley, as has been highlighted in the media,” he said.
 Div Com, he said, told the association members that all chemists should treat their work as service to the nation and not livelihood. “They were directed to maintain record of the drugs sold to the customers by issuing cash memos with batch number and expiry date, irrespective of whether the customer demands it or not. No medicine should be sold without prescription and in case any chemist is found indulging in touting their licence will be cancelled,” he said.
 Div Com directed that henceforth no new retail licence will be issued unless the person is technically qualified for the same. 
 “There are reports that some companies are offering incentives to doctors so that their sub standard products can be sold. Div Com directed that a vigil will be maintained and any doctor found indulging in such activity will lose his license to practice,” the spokesman added.
 He said the Drug Control Deptt has suspended licenses of 34 chemist in the past few days for either selling expired medicines or not issuing cash bills to the customers. In certain cases the batch numbers were not being recorded and medicines were being dispensed without prescription. In three cases action had been taken for selling medicines which have been banned by the Drug Controller General of India.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST