The Birgunj branch of the Department of Drug Management has sealed four drug stores in Janakpur that were operating without registration during a monitoring exercise conducted in places including Janakpur, Mahendraganar, Dhalkebar, Birendra Bazaar, Malangwa and others this week.

The team including Branch Chief and Drug Manager Shambhu Sah, Inspectors Mukesh Raut and Ravi Chaudhary conducted the inspection. The drug stores that were sealed during the inspection included Prashant Medical Hall Bajrang Chowk Janakpur, Janakpur Suraksha Hospital Pharmacy Bajrang Chowk, Raghav Surgical Shop Fish Bazaar and Community Service Hospital Birendra Bazaar.

A total of two dozen drug stores were monitored, including half a dozen hospitals, pharmacies and one and a half dozen community pharmacies. During the inspection, it was found that professional pharmacists were absent in 11 stores, unregistered drugs were stored in three stores, seven stores did not keep records of the sale and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, four stores did not store drugs at the proper temperature, and four stores stored medicinal dietary supplements.