D&FCO hold awareness events in Chenab region on drug control measures

JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 09: As a part of social responsibility, the Drug Wing of Drugs & Food Control Organization organized an awareness program in Doda and Kishtwar Districts to sensitize the stakeholders about growing menace of drug abuse and responsibility of the society to check/prevent the gullible population particularly adolescents from falling prey to this social evil.

A large number of members of the Pharma trade participated in the said programs. The speakers from various walks of life shared their real time experiences about the magnitude of drug addiction.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohd Iqbal Palla, Deputy Drugs Controller who joined the awareness program virtually impressed upon the Trade Fraternity to stock and sell medicinal formulations strictly  as per mandate of the law.  He stressed upon the members to always stick to the procurement of medicines through authorized channels to ensure the genuine medicinal products are made available in the market. He also made it clear that no members of pharma trade indulge in procuring the medicines from unauthorized channels and shall desist from unethical/unfair trade practices.

Pankaj Malhotra, Licensing Authority, Doda/Kishtwar  impressed upon the trade fraternity to switch over to computerized system of billing for maintenance  of records and install CCTV cameras in light of guidelines issued by the Government of J&K . He reiterated that the Government has initiated pro active measures by constituting District Level Monitoring Committees under NCORD to put reins on the availability of habit forming drugs for any other purpose except for medicinal use.

Sanjay Bhat, Drugs Control Officer ( Mfg)   in his address said that  such programs are being conducted at Tehsil Level as a part of NashaMukat Bharat Abhiyaan which aims to reach out to  the masses and spread awareness about substance abuse.

Munish Gupta, Drugs Control Officer, Doda/Kishtwar  directed the trade Fraternity to strictly follow the conditions of licenses and informed that Department in its endeavor to curb the misuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances has started a massive drive  to ensure that such pharmaceutical preparations are sold for licit use only. He warned that under Zero Tolerance for Drug Abuse the Department shall resort to cancellation of licenses of any dealer who violates the standing instructions.

Members of Chemists Associations of Doda & Kishtwar extended their full cooperation to the Department in this social cause & emphasized that their Associations stand united against this social evil of drug abuse. They assured full cooperation and support of the Pharma Trade w.r.t dispensing of drugs in accordance with the law and in the best interest of Patient Care.

A message on behalf of Lotika Khajuria, State Drugs Controller was also read out on the occasion which stressed upon the need to raise the level of wisdom among the stakeholders so that the challenges of presence of inferior quality drugs, drug menace and other related issues can be countered with precision.