Health Dept directs chemists to install ACs

Health Dept directs chemists to install ACs
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 2
The Health Department has appealed to chemists across the state to install airconditioners (ACs) on their premises. “This is not mandatory for the chemists, but we appeal to them to install ACs at their shops so that medicines requiring a cool atmosphere can be stored appropriately,” said Satish Gupta, Controller, Drug and Food Control Organisation.

Gupta said though this was not specified in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, they had taken the step to maintain the quality of drugs.

“The Act has so far made a refrigerator mandatory for getting a new licence or for the renewal of the old one. But keeping in mind the frequent climate changes and long summers, we are asking the chemists to follow the advice,” said Gupta.

He added the Punjab government had issued an order making a provision of an AC mandatory for the chemists. “But I am not aware about the response there,” he said.

Asked about the department’s failure to keep a check on the absence of licence holders from drug stores, Gupta said, “A person can hire a technician to open a chemist shop or get a licence, but the technician or the pharmacist should always be present at the shop. Otherwise, it is an illegal act. Our officials are aware of the issue and they regularly conduct surprise visits to chemist shops.”