VELLORE: The Pernambut Consumer Protection Welfare Society has urged the State government to take severe action against pharmacy outlets violating the Drug and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
In a memorandum submitted by the president of the society, T Basheeruddin to the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, he pointed out that since most of the pharmacy outlets were not following the Acts, even educated consumers were suffering from health related problems. He said, many pharma outlets were dispensing medicines that had not been prescribed by doctors. Sales persons at the counters just dispensed medicine when consumers explain their ailment— this should be stopped, he said.
The pharma outlets must also be instructed to sell only items approved by the drug controller. He also said, complaints were received from consumers that many pharma outlets were selling drugs with fake expiry details.
Many pharma outlets seldom gave a valid receipt for the purchase of medicines. By doing this they were escaping from the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act 1986. The State should launch an exclusive drive to educate pharma outlets and consumers on these issues, Basheeruddin pointed out.
A copy of the memorandum has been sent to the Commissioner, Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department, State Drug Controller and Vellore district Collector.