'J-K has become hub of sub-standard medicines'

Jammu and Kashmir has become a hub of sub-standard medicines, the Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) today alleged, demanding Union Health Ministry's intervention into the sale of spurious drugs in the state.
"People's lives are being put at risk for little commissions from the manufacturers. Jammu and Kashmir has become a hub of sub-standard medicines. The office of Drug Controller in the state has become meaningless and irrelevant," SDP president Darakshan Andrabi told reporters here.
"We appeal to the Union Health Minister to take action soon so that precious human lives are saved. The whole matter should be probed by the CBI, as state government is showing little interest in addressing the issue," he said.

Alleging that state health institutions have been sidetracked to facilitate private medical centres, Andrabi claimed the state government has commercialised the medical resources of the state.
"How can we expect any check on the system, as the government has allowed the medical resources of the state to turn into business centres," he alleged.
"The public worry about the spurious drugs being sold in the state without any fear and check seems unheard by the government, which is totally indifferent to this grave issue," he charged.