Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Nov: A joint inspection of several medical stores was conducted in the Patel Nagar area of Dehradun district on 3 November 2025 under the ongoing “Safe Drugs, Safe Life” campaign. The inspection was led by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, Seema Dungrakoti, in collaboration with the Drugs Department in compliance with the directives of the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority, Nainital, and the District Judge-cum-Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, Prem Singh Khimwal.
The inspection team comprised Senior Drug Inspector Manender Singh Rana and Drug Inspectors Vinod Jagudi and Nidhi Raturi from the Drug Administration, Dehradun district. The campaign aims to ensure that all medical establishments comply with legal and safety standards relating to the sale and storage of medicines.
During the inspection, various medical stores were checked and instructed on essential regulatory matters, including valid licences, the presence of registered pharmacists, maintenance of purchase-sale records, cold storage facilities, disposal of expired medicines, and handling of narcotic drugs.
At A-One Pharmacy in West Patel Nagar, the pharmacist Preeti Goyal was absent, and a tenth-standard pass individual, Ashish Devilal, was found managing the store. The team expressed serious displeasure over this violation. Though two CCTV cameras were installed and the fridge temperature displayed 17 degrees Celsius, directions were issued to repair the faulty temperature display. In view of the pharmacist’s absence and other irregularities, the inspection team ordered the immediate closure of the store and directed the owner to submit an explanation to the Drugs Department at the earliest.
At Khalsa Medical Store, West Patel Nagar, pharmacist Sandeep Pal was present. Two CCTV cameras and a functional temperature display were found, and arrangements for expired medicines were in place. The purchase-sale records were examined, and the pharmacist informed that no narcotic medicines were sold at the store. Cough syrups were found stored separately from the main stock. The team instructed the store to maintain better cleanliness standards.
At MPS Medicos, near Mahant Indresh Hospital, pharmacist Manoj Tiwari was present during the inspection. The fridge had a temperature display, and purchase-sale bills were shown. Narcotic medicines were being sold, and a section for expired medicines was maintained. The inspection team directed that the purchase-sale register be kept in proper and organised condition.
At Radhey Medicos, near Mahant Indresh Hospital, the proprietor, Yogesh, and pharmacist Shivkumar were absent. Pharmacist Kashiram, whose licence is registered in Uttar Pradesh, was present. Five CCTV cameras were installed, and the fridge had a temperature display. However, no proper arrangement for storing expired medicines was found. The team noted that the store was very untidy and instructed immediate improvement in cleanliness. In view of the absence of the registered pharmacist and other irregularities, the team ordered the store to be sealed and directed the owner to submit an explanation to the Drugs Department without delay.
At Simran Pharmacy, near Mahant Indresh Hospital, the pharmacist on duty was found not registered on the licence. Out of five pharmacists associated with the store, three registered pharmacists were absent. The fridge lacked a temperature display, though seven CCTV cameras were installed. A storage area for expired medicines was available, and narcotic medicines were being sold with bills properly maintained. However, due to the absence of registered pharmacists and irregularities in the licence regarding proprietorship and partnership, the inspection team prohibited all purchase and sale activities and instructed the management to furnish an explanation to the Drugs Department promptly.
At Sai Kirpa Medicos, also near Mahant Indresh Hospital, registered pharmacist Jayveer Singh was absent. The store failed to produce a copy of its licence and instead showed an e-intimation. Purchase-sale bills were checked, and the fridge had a functional temperature display. Five CCTV cameras and a section for expired medicines were also found. The team instructed the store to maintain an organised purchase-sale register and prohibited all business activities due to irregularities.
At another branch of A-One Pharmacy, also near Mahant Indresh Hospital, pharmacist Anjum was present. The inspection revealed three CCTV cameras, a working temperature display, and an area designated for expired medicines. Records related to narcotic medicines and purchase-sale transactions were maintained and shown through a computerised system. The inspection team found the arrangements satisfactory and issued further directives for compliance with prescribed norms.
The joint inspection indicated several instances of non-compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, including the absence of qualified pharmacists, lack of proper documentation, and irregular storage of medicines. The authorities reiterated that such violations pose serious risks to public health and that strict action will continue against erring establishments under the “Safe Drugs, Safe Life” campaign to ensure that only licensed professionals handle the sale and storage of pharmaceutical products in the state.
