Chemist’s licence seized for 5 days

It is a common practice for chemists to insist that customers buy the full strip of tablets even if the prescription is just for one or two tablets.

The drug control department, probably for the first time, closed a medical shop in Nellore and suspended its licence temporarily for five days from June 21 to 25, for the above practice.

This will send a clear message to all medical shops to supply whatever the quantity the customer needs, said Assistant Director of Drug Control, B Suresh Babu. He said drug shop licensees have been warned not to insist on customers buying more than they need.

He said the shop located near Nippo factory in Nellore was inspected after a customer complained that the staff had refused to give him four tablets of Hifenac-TH which cost `15 each. The customer was forced to buy a strip containing 10 tablets spending `150.

“Besides the customer's complaint we found some other shortcomings and suspended the licence for five days,” Mr Babu said.

He said the shop has taken back six tablets and returned the cash to the customer.

“There is no such rule that people should buy an entire strip in Andhra Pradesh state,” Mr Babu said making it clear that no medical shop can dictate terms to the customer if they come with a proper prescription and the drug is available in the outlet.