The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of AP recently conducted raids in the districts of Medak, Nizamabad and Adilabad and inspected over 70 chemist shops of which eight shops were found stocking physician's samples 'not for sale' drugs. Of these eight shops, one shop had Rs.20000 worth of physician samples whereas the other had samples of about Rs.12000, Venkata Reddy, director DCA, AP told Pharmabiz.

In Proddutur of Cuddapah district (AP), P Revanth, a chemist was found to have 28 types of physician samples and two snake venum vials of Tamil Nadu government supplies. The samples have been submitted to the Judicial Magistrate at Proddutur.

DCA in its raids found 20 shops without pharmacists and initiated departmental action against these shop owners. DCA is ensuring that new drug licenses are given only to owners and partners who are registered pharmacists and has instructed owners of all the shops with drug licenses to have pharmacists without failure. DCA follows three-pronged strategy on those who violate its instructions to have pharmacists to run the chemist shops: First, it will order suspension, next severe suspension, and finally cancellation of drug licenses, Reddy said.

He said that Dharmavaram in district Anantapur has more than 90 per cent owners who are pharmacists, and it can be taken as a model. In the last six months, conditions have improved. DCA is getting very good support from Chemist Associations at all levels. The department would continue to educate pharmacists to act reasonably and be accountable. Gujarat seems to be the first state, which has taken stringent action on issue of compulsory pharmacists in all chemist shops.

Reddy also revealed that the DCA can actively support in the efforts of Narcotics Control Bureau in the state, since it has deeper roots. In a recent meeting held at Chennai organized by Narcotics department, DCAs of AP and Karnataka have expressed interest to hold conventions involving all drugs officers, to discuss and develop plans to control trading of narcotic drugs. AP DCA may organize its convention within a month's time.