As normal life went out of gear in Kashmir Valley against alleged proliferation of spurious medicines, the Government approved setting up a corporation to exclusively facilitate procurement of quality drugs. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that State Vigilance Commission was inquiring into the scam.
The Medical Employees Joint Action Forum (MEJAF), a conglomeration of trade union groups associated with the medical profession had called the shutdown against the Government’s alleged failure to take action against the culprits of the spurious drugs scam. They allege that former Health Minister Sham lal Sharma, who holds a separate portfolio in Abdullah’s Cabinet now, is behind the scam, an allegation repeatedly denied by him.
Shops, business establishments, educational institutions and several Government offices remained closed in most of the areas in the Valley. Though most of the public transport remained off the roads, private vehicles were least affected by the shutdown.
Authorities say they have taken into custody two drug dealers who were involved in supplying spurious antibiotics to Government hospitals. The drug, supposed to carry 500 milligrams of amoxicillin in each of its 625 mg prototype was found to be without the vital ingredient.
An independent legislator Sheikh Abdur Rashid tried to gherao the civil secretariat on the issue but his attempt was foiled. He was temporarily taken into custody.
“The Government is inquiring into the allegations of spurious drug scam and were also witnessing allegations of corruption involved in the issue. The newly constituted Vigilance Commission is also probing the issue”, the Chief Minister said.
“I can’t say much on this as investigation is on. Yes, there are shortages of testing facilities as Government labs are not able to test the drugs properly. So we are trying to form a private-public partnership for establishing a full-fledged testing lab,” he said.
later, he gave nod to the constitution of J&K Medical Supplies Corporation to facilitate procurement of standard and quality drugs, ensure foolproof arrangements of testing and to economise the purchase of drugs, instruments and disposables and other equipments, an official spokesman said.
Omar Abdullah said that patient care should be of highest importance and supply of quality medicines to hospitals be ensured hassle-free. He said while testing of all drugs should be benchmark of procurement, their supply and procurement need to be balanced in such a manner that would ensure the flow of quality medicines to the hospitals uninterrupted.