Sec 22 chemist shop ‘selling habit-forming drugs’ sealed

CHANDIGARH: The UT drug control authority office sealed a chemist shop in Sector 22 on Thursday late night after it was suspected to be misused for addiction purposes by the youth.
Unlike the routine raids conducted by the drugs control office, which the department conducts from time to time, this raid lasted for over five hours. The drug officials were given a tip-off about the shop, which allegedly was selling these addictive prescription drugs in the city.
As per the drug officials, the proprietor-cum-qualified pharmacist of the firm, “Deep Medis”, in Sector 22 was found to be involved in stock sale of intoxicating drugs without having the purchase record.“He was found selling drugs without prescription and without issuing the sale invoice. The firm was unable to produce the purchase and sale record on the spot of the drugs mentioned on Form 35 suspected to be misused for indication purpose by the youth, as per his statement,” mentioned the memo issued by UT drug inspector Sunil Chaudhary.
According to officials, the proprietor informed that all the records related to purchase and sale of drugs were lying with his chartered accountant and he will produce the same as the early as possible. Consequently, the drug shop was sealed. Five samples were drawn from suspected drugs which were mostly pain killers, including Tapentadol and Butaphen, which are used for addiction as well. “As per the drug act, necessary procedures will be initiated. The report of the drug analysis and the raid shall be submitted to the licensing authority for the issuance of show cause notice to the chemist,” said an official in the department.
Officials informed that the chemist has authorised license for the sale and purchase, however, there has to be proper record of the same to avoid illegal sale of the addiction drugs. “Moreover, often these illegal activities are traced in rural or southern sectors. This is not common to get information of illegal sale of prescription drugs from a posh sector in the city,” said an official.