Licence for public medicine centre, adjoining medical store awarded to same man cancelled for irregularities

Dehradun: The drug sales licences of a Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) outlet operating at the community health centre (CHC) in Raipur and a nearby private pharmacy awarded to same individual have been cancelled on Wednesday following a complaint by Sodasaroli village head alleging irregularities.According to officials, the complaint cited frequent unavailability of medicines and alleged that its owner was simultaneously running a private medical store nearby. Joint magistrate Rahul Anand said a senior drug inspector conducted a spot inspection following the complaint."Balveer Rawat, owner of the outlet, operates another medical store -- Rawat Medicos-- approximately 25 metres outside the CHC, creating a conflict of interest. Patients visiting the janaushadhi centre are often misdirected about the availability of medicines and end up purchasing them from the private store," he said.In addition, the inquiry found that the maintenance of the stock register and inventory was improper. Billing at the centre was being done manually instead of through the official software of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) which oversees the scheme. "This leads to a shortage of medicines, leaving patients facing the drawbacks of affordable medicines available from janaushadhi kendras. The centre is supplying medicines informally via WhatsApp. Rawat didn't even place an order for the medicines, resulting in a shortage at the centre," read Anand's order."It is clear that the person was operating two medical stores at different locations and made no effort to address the shortage of medicines at the janaushadhi kendra. As a result, patients were compelled to purchase medicines from the private store situated near the CHC at a higher price," the order read.The inspection also revealed that a single refrigerator bill had been submitted for obtaining and renewing licences for both stores, and that the air conditioner at the centre was non-functional. Additionally, lease agreement uploaded at the time of licence issuance was valid for only 11 months from March 1, 2020, with no updated document.Citing these irregularities and alleged personal gain by the proprietor, authorities cancelled the drug sales licences. Chief medical officer Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma said that a re-tendering process for the outlet's licence would be initiated on priority.