Agartala: May 27: In a major crackdown on irregularities in the pharmaceutical trade, Tripura’s Deputy Drug Controller Kanchan Sinha revealed on Tuesday that 104 medicine shops across the state have been suspended in the first four months of this year. Additionally, warnings have been issued to 37 other shops for alleged malpractices related to the sale and distribution of medicines.
Speaking to a reputed state news channel, Sinha stated, “Our inspection teams have found multiple violations. In total, 104 shops have been suspended, and 37 more have been warned after various malpractices came to light during routine checks.”
As part of the department’s ongoing vigilance, regular inspections are being conducted across Tripura, with a focus on medicine quality and stock records. “We collected 704 samples and tested 887 samples during this period. Five samples were found to be of ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSQ),” Sinha said. She added that the list of NSQ medicines is made available on the department’s official website, enabling consumers to verify the quality of medicines prescribed to them.
In addition to medicine quality, the inspections also include verification of BD syringe stock. “Shop owners are required to maintain accurate stock records. If syringes are found missing in large numbers, they are issued show-cause notices,” Sinha explained. However, she noted that minor discrepancies, such as the absence of a few syringes in high-traffic pharmacies near hospitals, are sometimes attributed to human error.
The drug regulatory body’s strict measures aim to ensure public safety and transparency in the medicine trade. The Deputy Drug Controller urged the public to remain alert and report any irregularities, reinforcing the department’s commitment to safeguarding health standards in Tripura.
