Ganderbal, May 02 (KNO): In view of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2025, the Drugs Control Department of Ganderbal district intensified inspections of pharmacies and medical establishments along the Baltal axis through Sonamarg, a critical route for yatra pilgrims.
According to officials, the inspection drive was carried out on April 26 under the supervision of Dr. Shibeer Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Controller Drugs for Ganderbal and Bandipora.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the team inspected 20 medical shops in the area, out of which four were found flouting mandatory drug regulations and were consequently sealed on the spot under Section 22(d) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Following this, a review inspection was conducted on May 1, where it was observed that the sealed shops had brought their operations into compliance. However, the license of one pharmacy in Kangan was suspended for three days due to continued non-adherence to guidelines.
Speaking to KNO, an official said that pharmacies en route the yatra must uphold high standards of compliance. “Medical shops were directed to ensure availability of emergency medicines, staff must follow proper dress code, and signboards with license details and contact numbers should be displayed visibly,” he said.
In a related development, the department also inspected the PHC Sonamarg, where six samples were taken from the drugstore for lab testing and analysis to ensure quality assurance in public healthcare services.
The department emphasized that these checks are part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health and ensure uninterrupted medical support during the pilgrimage. Officials stated that such proactive measures would continue in the run-up to SANJY 2025—(KNO)