Inspect three chemist shops every month, DC directs SDMs

Taking measures to curb drug menace, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav has directed all Subdivisional Magistrates (SDMs) to undertake the inspection of at least three chemist shops per month in their respective jurisdictions.

The directions were issued during a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) chaired by the DC to deliberate on the prevailing issues related to drug trafficking, substance abuse and associated public health and safety concerns within the city.

“These inspections are to be conducted in collaboration with Drug Inspectors to ensure comprehensive compliance with regulatory norms governing the sale and distribution of pharmaceutical substances,” he said.

A key focus of the directive was to ensure that all chemist shops within Chandigarh were equipped with functional and strategically positioned CCTV cameras providing full visual coverage of the shop premises.

It is also mandated that all such CCTV systems maintain a minimum backup storage capacity of 30 days of recorded footage. This measure is being instituted as a deterrent against illegal activities and to strengthen accountability in the pharmaceutical retail sector. The officials of the Health Department were directed to start a drug de-addiction centre at GMSH, Sector 16, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh