The Department of Drug Administration (DDA) has mentioned such fact in its recently published quarterly monitoring report of pharmacies running in 12 districts, including Kathmandu. But the Department of Health services (DoHS) is unaware of such a finding. [break]
“No one informed us formally,” said Director General of the DoHS Dr Yosho Bardhan Pradhan. “If DDA submits us its report we will investigate into the matter and will work to stop the malpractice,” said.
According to a DDA source, the drug inspectors have found free medicine being sold in all districts they monitored.
The government provides 40 different medicines for free primary health purposes in the district hospital. Of the 40 items, 32 are provided for free to primary health centers and 22 to sub health posts.
“We found all types of drugs being sold from the pharmacies, including the drugs which have been given for free dismtribution,” a knowledgeable source at DDA said.
The DDA monitored pharmacies in Kathmandu, Palpa, Syangja, Lamjung, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchwok and Kavrepalanchowk. The DDA also monitored pharmacies in Dhading, Gorkha and Makwanpur districts.
The inspectors of DDA have confiscated drugs allocated for free distribution from Saugat Medical Store, Shantinagar Kathmandu.
Likewise, such medicine has been seized from Mangila Pharmacy at Gongabu.
The inspectors of DDA have also found free medicine kept for sale in Smrit Pharmacy at Banapa, Kamana Medical Hall of Dhading, New medical Hall of Dhading, and Om Shanti Medical Hall of Palpa.
“This is not the first time we have found such medicine being sold by the pharmacies,” Shyam Kumar Adhikari, drug inspector of DDA said.
Meanwhile, the DDA closed 29 pharmacies during the ongoing fiscal year for operating without registration.
In the report, the DDA has mentioned that its inspectors have found that drugs are being sold by those who do not have knowledge of pharmacy. Also, pharmacies are operating without renewal, without registration and without renewal of the business certificate.
Related story
Drugstore operator arrested for selling illegal drugs
