Bad medicine: Over 1,000 private clinics, drug stores sealed

PESHAWAR:

Following the directives of the Health Care Commission (HCC), over 1,000 drug stores and private clinics were sealed in the province by authorities in April. Of the total, 110 such establishments were in the provincial capital alone.

Officials told The Express Tribune that inspectors and other team members raided different areas and sealed any stores or clinics which failed to meet the officially prescribed requirements.

They said the main objective was to regulate clinics and laboratories, and keep a close check on health facilities being run by private individuals.



An HCC official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that 110 illegal clinics were sealed in Peshawar in the month of April. He added that 333 private health facilities were also shut down.

Drug inspector Imranullah told The Express Tribune a special campaign was carried out in the provincial capital. They visited over 400 drug stores and sealed off 13 of them after the team found substandard medicines.

“We filed cases under the Drug Act 1976 and will produce the arrested individuals before a drug court,” said Imranullah.

The K-P Health Care Commission Bill 2015 was passed by the provincial assembly in January. Besides other features, the Health Regulatory Authority was replaced by the HCC. The bill has faced immense resistance from the medical fraternity.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2015.