The Haryana Drug Control Administration has significantly intensified its enforcement activities, executing a massive wave of surprise inspections across the state.
Under the direct orders of FDA Commissioner Manoj Kumar and State Drug Controller Lalit Kumar Goel, authorities are signalling a zero-tolerance policy toward pharmaceutical non-compliance. This sustained campaign, which has been gaining momentum over the past one year, reached a new peak on March 9 with a synchronized multi-district operation aimed at sanitizing the local medicine trade.
The latest operation targeted 124 chemist shops across the districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar. The raids were not random but were initiated following high-level intelligence and secret reports provided by the Superintendents of Police in Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa, and Dabwali. By combining the investigative resources of the police with the technical expertise of the health department, the administration was able to pinpoint locations suspected of irregular activities.
A formidable task force of 23 drug inspectors was mobilized from nearly every corner of the state, including Ambala, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula. This diverse team operated under the rigorous supervision of senior drug inspectors Raman Kumar (Sirsa Zone), Krishan Kumar (Faridabad Zone), and Gurcharan Singh (Gurugram Zone). The scale of the deployment underscores the state's commitment to thorough oversight and the prevention of localized bias during inspections.
One of the most significant outcomes of the day occurred in Sirsa, where Ruby Sharma, a dedicated drug inspector, ordered the immediate sealing of Goyal Medical Hall. Located opposite the Civil Hospital, the establishment was shuttered following the discovery of illegal sales involving medical intoxicants. This move serves as a stark warning to other retailers that the illicit trade of habit-forming drugs will result in immediate and severe administrative consequences. Beyond the illegal sale of intoxicants, inspectors documented various other contraventions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Common violations included the absence of registered pharmacists on-site and the failure to maintain accurate, up-to-date medication records. Licensing authorities have already initiated formal legal actions against these establishments based on the detailed observation reports submitted by the inspecting officers at the conclusion of the day's events.
State drug controller Lalit Kumar Goel emphasized that this is not a one-time event, but rather part of a long-term strategy to ensure public safety. He confirmed that raids will continue indefinitely, fuelled by ongoing inputs from local administrations and law enforcement. As the crackdown persists, the FDA aims to reform the pharmaceutical landscape in Haryana, ensuring that every chemist shop operates within the strict boundaries of the law. |