Latest news with #DrugsandCosmeticsAct
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Inspection at ESIC hospital, medical stores in Noida, 9 medicines sampled
In a bid to ensure that medicines being sold in the district adhere to prescribed safety and quality standards, the food safety and drug administration (FSDA) conducted a surprise inspection at ESIC hospital in Section 24 and multiple medical facilities in Noida, said officials on Friday. Officials said all collected samples have been sent for testing. (Shutterstock) The inspections were carried out under the directives of the commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh, and district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar Manish Kumar Verma. During inspections, nine samples of several medicines were collected and sent for laboratory testing. Officials have stated that further action will be initiated based on the results of these tests. 'Five samples were collected from the ESIC hospital, and two each from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra and another from a medical store, both located in Sector 22. All collected samples have been sent for testing at the designated drug testing laboratory and further action will be initiated based on the results', said drug inspector, Jai Singh. Speaking about the ongoing efforts, the official emphasised that the campaign to monitor and ensure drug quality across the district is part of a wider initiative under the Food Safety and Drug Administration. 'The drive is aimed at making sure that all kinds of medicines being sold at medical stores across the district meet the prescribed standards and are safe for public use,' said Singh. He further added that similar inspections will continue in the coming days to prevent the sale of substandard or spurious drugs. Random checks will be intensified across private pharmacies, government-linked centers, and hospitals to uphold the integrity of drug quality in the district. Officials assured that if any irregularities are found in the samples upon lab analysis, strict regulatory action, including penalties and suspension of licenses, will be pursued as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland pharmacy association appeals to state govt for policy review claiming pharmacist shortage
Kohima, The All Nagaland Pharmacy Association has urged the state government to reconsider the strict enforcement of rules mandating registered pharmacists in all pharmacies, warning that the move could lead to widespread closures and disrupt healthcare access across Nagaland. At a press conference in Kohima on Friday, ANPA president Zhapuvilie Yashü and general secretary Limayanger Jamir said that although they respect and are willing to comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and Pharmacy Act, 1948, the shortage of qualified pharmacists makes full implementation currently unfeasible. Quoting official data that there are 1,157 licensed pharmacies in Nagaland, Jamir claimed the state has only 278 registered pharmacists, of which, 252 are employed in government facilities, leaving just 26 for private pharmacies. Several districts, including Shamator and Meluri, have no registered pharmacists at all. Phek district, with 34 pharmacies, has only two while even in Kohima, some localities could be left without a single pharmacy if the rule is strictly enforced, he said. "This ratio is grossly disproportionate. Enforcing the rule without practical alternatives will throw the public health system into disarray," Jamir warned. ANPA said the licensing process has long been regulated by the Health & Family Welfare department, with pharmacies regularly paying fees. However, in late 2021, the department began enforcing stricter requirements for pharmacist appointments, it said. Yashu said while some private pharmacies have appointed pharmacists, most cannot do so due to the acute shortage. To address the issue collectively, pharmacy unions were formed in every district and unified under ANPA on March 13 this year, he said. ANPA said that despite repeated appeals to the Principal Director, Health Commissioner, and Health Minister, the association said their requests for a phased implementation or temporary relaxation have not been addressed while a representation to the chief minister is still pending. "If enforced fully, even key areas in Kohima and several districts will be left without pharmacy services," ANPA said. Pointing out that Nagaland is currently the only state in India without a pharmacy institute, ANPA said that even in other states, full enforcement of such policies has been hindered by manpower shortages. They questioned the government's expectations, noting that many government health centres rely on nurses trained for only three months to dispense medicines. "If the government can authorise nurses due to shortages, similar temporary measures should be extended to pharmacies until infrastructure is improved," ANPA argued. While the Drugs Control Administration had renewed licenses until 2028, pharmacies have recently begun receiving show cause notices and cancellation orders from May onwards, they said. ANPA clarified it is not opposing the policy but asking for a practical, state-specific approach that protects public health without disrupting essential services. "Until we have sufficient manpower and our own pharmacy institutions, we request the department to allow pharmacies to continue operating," the association appealed. They assured that if granted a reasonable extension, efforts to appoint registered pharmacists would continue. Meanwhile, Tiatoshi Amer, Controlling & Licensing Authority under the Health & Family Welfare Department, told PTI that the department acted only after repeated notices went unheeded. "We issued public notices and also verbally informed licensees to appoint pharmacists for the welfare of the public," he said. Amer added that the department will not consider an extension as enough time had already been provided, emphasising that public health remains the department's top priority. The officer also asserted that, as per data provided by the department's Pharmacy Cell, there are more than 300 registered unemployed pharmacists in the state, while for the government health units, the vacant posts are being requisitioned annually through the Nagaland Public Service Commission for recruitment.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
With no upgradation plan, several small drug companies may shut operations
New Delhi: Thousands of pharmaceutical companies in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector face the grim prospect of closure, having passed the May-end deadline for submitting plans to the government for upgrading their manufacturing facilities. Only a fraction of such units, 1,700 out of an estimated 6,000, have submitted plans for upgradation as per the newly-notified Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP ), people in the know told ET. Industry executives said they anticipate many units to shut down and thousands of job losses as these units struggle with high costs needed to make the necessary infrastructure improvements. The government, meanwhile, is likely to initiate site audits and kick-off regulatory action against those not complying with the new standards, the people said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 혈압, 혈당, 고지혈로 고민이 많으신 분들만 읽어주세요. 메디셜 더 읽기 Undo Experts noted that if the government takes stringent action, it may cause drug shortages in areas like cancer, where there are fewer manufacturing units. Live Events "Next few months will see a lot of small sector units getting closed, resulting in increased unemployment. The upgradation requirement to Schedule M has created challenges for small and medium units potentially leading to closures and unemployment," said an industry executive, raising concerns about the future of these units. Some executives believe that 'stop production notices' will be issued to units not complying with the newly-notified standards, which may inflate drug prices. "These units require hand holding by the government and if they do not get further support, then production will stop, resulting in escalation of drug prices," a second executive said. Health ministry officials however stressed that sufficient time has been given to the industry for complying with the new norms. Earlier the ministry had received several representations from pharma associations with annual revenues of less than '250 crore for extension of timeline for the implementation of revised Schedule M. Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act outlines quality standards for pharma products. To address their concerns, in February, the ministry issued another notification for extension of implementation of revised Schedule M whereby manufacturers with less than Rs 250 crore revenues were required to file an application to the Central License Approving Authority within three months, along with the plan of upgradation.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana DCA flags antibiotic misuse violations in 193 medical shops
The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) conducted a special State-wide drive on Thursday (June 12), targeting indiscriminate sale of antibiotics in medical shops. As part of the drive, DCA officers inspected pharmacies across the State and uncovered serious violations in 193 medical shops. The crackdown focused on curbing unchecked distribution of antibiotics, which has been identified as a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global public health concern. According to officials, the offences included sale of antibiotics without a valid prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner, absence of a qualified pharmacist during operations, failure to maintain mandatory records such as the Schedule H1 Drug Register and Prescription Register, and issuing drugs without proper billing. Show cause notices have been served on all 193 violators, and the DCA has assured that appropriate legal action will follow under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and relevant rule, the DCA said in a release.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Two unauthorised clinics raided in Panipat, owners booked for illegal medical practice
Karnal: The Panipat police have registered two separate FIRs after the Chief Minister's Flying Squad raided two clinics operating without valid licenses or medical certifications. In the first case, Shabir Ali, a local resident, was booked at the Model Town police station under Sections 18(a)(i) and 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Section 34 of the National Medical Commission Act, and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the complaint filed by Vishal, a medical officer at the general hospital, a raid was conducted at SK Clinic in the 8 Marla area based on a tip-off received by the Civil Surgeon, Panipat. The team found Shabir Ali seated in the doctor's chair inside the clinic. When questioned, Ali claimed he was running the clinic. The name of Dr Kajal, BAMS—reportedly his daughter—was displayed on the clinic board, but Ali said she got married in November 2024 and now lives in Saharanpur. The team discovered a large stock of allopathic and injectable medicines inside the clinic, some labeled under the name of a Dr S Khan. Ali failed to produce any valid medical degree or license to justify his practice. In the second case, Devender, another local resident and owner of Dev EH Hospital and Medical Institute near Deswal Chowk, was booked at the Old Industrial police station under similar sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, National Medical Commission Act, and the BNS. Panipat deputy chief medical officer Subash Galawat stated in his complaint that Devender presented certificates claiming a BEMS (Bachelor of Electropathy Medicine Surgery) degree and registration with the Electronomopathy Medical Council, Panchkula. However, the raiding team verified that these documents were not legally recognised for medical practice. The FIR further notes that the legitimacy and authority of the mentioned councils to issue such credentials need to be examined by appropriate regulatory bodies. Both individuals are now under investigation for unauthorised and potentially dangerous medical practice.
