SHRC seeks report on licences of drug stores

HYDERABAD: The State Human Rights Commission acting chairman K Peda Peri Reddy on Saturday directed the principal secretary, Health and Medical and director- general of Drug Control Administration to submit a comprehensive report over renewal of licences for medical shops and registration of pharmacists within two months.The order comes after the Indian Dalitha Christian Rights, Andhra Pradesh lodged a complaint at the SHRC alleging violation of human rights in public health care system and statutory bodies such as AP Pharmacy Council. Peda Peri Reddy said that they have directed the principal secretary, Health and Medical and director- general of Drug Control Administration to submit a report by October 10.Meanwhile, Perika Varaprasada Rao, state president, Indian Dalitha Christian Rights alleged the DCA had deliberately issued renewals to medical shops. “There are at least 50,000 functional medical shops whose owners are not eligible to get licences,” said Varaprasada Rao.He demanded the government and Drug Control Administration should ensure supply of original medicines through medical shops . He said, “The professional stakeholders of public healthcare system like physicians and pharmacists should be qualified.At the village level, there are no resident healthcare providers.” He alleged there are more than 50,000 retail pharmacy stores operating with licence from the Drug Control Administration but more than 90 per cent outlets are run by pharmacists not having proper certificates.