66 Hospital Pharmacies Under Scrutiny for Major Violations

A recent enforcement campaign conducted by the Telangana State Drug Control Administration (TSDCA) has revealed serious defaults in 66 hospital-owned pharmacies within Hyderabad and surrounding districts. These pharmacies, within or within the precincts of major corporate hospitals, are now in the regulatory crosshairs for breaching important pharmaceutical norms.

Show Cause Notices Issued Across the Board

All 66 pharmacies found in the course of the inspection drive have been served with show cause notices by the TSDCA. The notices request an explanation for a range of irregularities and non-compliance matters, which are destined to result in further regulatory and legal action.

Common Violations: From missing bills to expired medicines

The violations found are reflective of pharmaceutical negligence. Violations include:

• Issuance of drugs without a registered pharmacist's presence

• Failure to maintain sales records and generate purchase receipts.

• Non-maintenance of the required prescription and Schedule H1 drug registers

• Sale of drugs without a valid prescription

• Storing saleable and expired drugs together

• Inadequate storage of temperature-sensitive (thermolabile) drugs

These behaviours may compromise patient safety and contravene major healthcare guidelines.

Specific cases: Remedy Hospital and others taken by surprise

In Remedy Hospital, Kukatpally, the DCA confiscated medical devices valued at ₹70,000 (7 Biopro PRP kits) for various labelling irregularities. The devices had no valid manufacturing license number and different manufacturing dates, as well as sterilization information printed on the packaging. In addition, no records of purchase and sale were available.

While that was happening, Life Care Pharmacy in Medak had been stockpiling commercial drugs as well as doctors' samples, another obvious go against the norms.

Banned Drug Found at Gemcare Poulomi Hospital

Most alarmingly, SUGATAB MV2 FORTE, an illegal compound drug, was found at the pharmacy that comes under Gemcare Poulomi Hospitals in Dr. A.S. Rao Nagar, Kupra. Stockpiling illegal medicines is very dangerous both legally as well as health-wise.

What's next?

The TSDCA has made it explicit that there would be accountability. All pharmacies have to reply to show cause notices, and default in giving satisfactory replies may lead to suspension of license, penalties, or prosecution.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)