The Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (DFDA), Goa recently warned all the drug retailers and wholesalers in the state against stringent action against the defaulting retailers indulging in unethical practices. This comes in the wake of recent Vasco double murder case, where Baina Medical Stores reportedly were found to be supplying sleeping pills without prescription, which were used to commit murder.

Following the same DFDA conducted surprise inspection in all the 23 medical stores and pharmacies in Vasco including the six medical stores in Baina. It is understood that following the investigation, DFDA has issued show cause notices to around 10 pharmacies for non-maintenance of register required for Schedule H-1 drugs. Others were caught selling in the absence of pharmacist, while some were unable to produce proper purchase and sales records of certain category of prescription drugs.

The DFDA is awaiting their reply, based on which they plan to initiate stringent action against the defaulting drugs retailers. Salim A Veljee director, DFDA pointed out that their office have found many chemists and retailers flouting rules leading to enforcement issues and not running the stores in a responsible manner.

“There is an innate need to educate the patients about the importance of getting prescription for the supply of drugs, so that such sensitive and critical drugs are not misused in the garb of medical needs. Chemist shops need to display special boards at all the medical stores highlighting the message that no drugs shall be dispensed or sold without valid and authorised prescriptions at the pharmacies. We are expecting full co operation and support from the stakeholders so that this important message is passed across the consumers. This will also go a very long way in checking drug supply without prescriptions for non-medical reasons so that incidents like the Vasco double murder case are not repeated.,” he stressed.

Veljee further informed all the stakeholders about the introduction of the on-line computerisation launched by the directorate for all the DFDA related services in relation to the drugs activities. He emphasised that all medical stores and the drug wholesalers on the importance of selling schedule drugs strictly on the prescription of registered medical practitioner only and that too under the personal supervision of the registered pharmacists.