Shops Selling Medicines Without Permission: 6 Shops Sealed

Nepal Health News, Myagdi – A regular morning in Darbang Bazaar. The alleys bustled with their usual activity, but something was different this time. A team of local officials appeared at the doors of several pharmacies. After a brief conversation, padlocks were hung on the shutters. The shop owners sat in silence — some with expressions of surprise, others with anger.

As part of a recent inspection campaign led by the Malika Rural Municipality, six pharmacies in the Darbang Bazaar area were sealed. These pharmacies were operating illegally — without registration and in violation of standards. According to Santukumari Karki, head of the municipality's health department, “Pharmacies are directly connected to public health. There is no room for negligence. Operating without permission is tantamount to playing with human health.”

The inspection team included Municipality Chairperson Beg Prasad Kharbuja, Vice Chairperson Laxmi Gharti Pun, Chief Administrative Officer Harishchandra Dhakal, and representatives from the Darbang Area Police Office.

How was this revealed?

The inspection uncovered several serious violations — lack of proper medicine storage, no record of sales, distribution of medicines without prescriptions, and unqualified staff selling drugs.

Chairperson Kharbuja stated, “This concerns the health of our people. We will now reach every corner of the village to put an end to such negligence. Any pharmacy operating without proper procedures will be shut down.”

Is your neighborhood pharmacy safe?

According to the rural municipality, there are over 50 pharmacies operating in Myagdi District, but only 15 have official authorization from the Department of Drug Administration.

Health Coordinator Karki noted, “Only two pharmacies in Darbang Bazaar were found to be operating legally. All the others were unauthorized.”

Playing with Human Health

A pharmacy is not just a business — it’s directly tied to people's lives and health. Distributing medicines without prescriptions, selling drugs by unqualified personnel, and using expired medicines pose serious risks to public health.

Local resident Man Bahadur Gharti said, “We had no idea that the brightly lit stores with large signs were illegal. Now we realize that we can’t just buy and consume any medicine without caution.”

A Shift in Public Perception Is Needed

This incident has revealed two things — not only has the state’s regulation been weak, but public awareness also needs significant improvement. Following the inspection, the municipality has announced it will intensify monitoring of such shops in all seven wards.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Harishchandra Dhakal, “We will now visit each village to educate people about what to look for when buying medicines. Also, unauthorized shops will not be allowed to reopen until they comply with legal procedures.