Bhubaneswar: The Jagatsinghpur district administration has launched a series of surprise inspections at medical stores across the district to check regulatory violations, verify licences and prevent the illegal sale of medicines. The raids are being conducted in the presence of District Collector and Magistrate J. Sonal and Superintendent of Police (SP) Ankit Kumar Verma, along with a team of Drug Inspectors.
During the inspections, officials are scrutinising the validity of licences, the availability of qualified pharmacists, drug sale bills and other mandatory records required to operate medical stores. The team is also checking whether pharmacies are complying with the prescribed rules and regulations governing the sale of medicines.
Speaking about the enforcement drive, Collector J. Sonal said the district administration had been conducting regular reviews and inspections of medical establishments over the past two years, particularly in view of concerns over the sex ratio at birth in the district.
“Since I took charge as the District Magistrate, we have been reviewing the healthcare sector every month. The sex ratio at birth has been a matter of concern in Jagatsinghpur district for the past two years. Accordingly, we are inspecting ultrasound clinics to verify whether they have valid licences and are complying with the prescribed regulations,” Sonal said.
The administration is also examining whether clinical establishments hold valid licences under the Clinical Establishments Act and comply with fire safety requirements.
The Collector said doctors had also raised concerns during review meetings over the sale of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits and pregnancy-related medicines over the counter.
As per the prescribed regulations, such medicines must be sold in accordance with the applicable legal requirements and on the basis of valid prescriptions wherever mandated. Medical stores are required to maintain proper records, including the prescribing doctor’s name and registration number, for verification by Drug Control authorities.
Sonal further said the administration had noticed irregularities at a few pharmacies near the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), where qualified pharmacists were allegedly absent from the counters and other individuals were found selling medicines.
“During our visits to some pharmacies near the District Headquarters Hospital, we found that qualified pharmacists were not present, while other individuals were selling medicines. Such practices are not acceptable and strict action will be taken against those violating the rules,” she said.
During Tuesday’s inspections, officials also found that some medical stores near Medical Chhak had reportedly shut their shops and left the premises as the inspection drive was underway.
The surprise inspections are aimed at identifying violations, preventing unauthorised medicine sales and ensuring that pharmacies maintain the required standards of safety and regulatory compliance.
The district administration said the enforcement drive would help strengthen monitoring of medical establishments and safeguard public health.
