States » NorthPosted at: Oct 3 2026 1:19PM


12 private hospitals in Lucknow inspected by 26 drug inspectors in surprise checks

Lucknow, Oct 3 (UNI) The Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh (UPFSDA) is continuing its statewide special campaign to make quality medicines available to patients at fair prices and to make the purchase and sale of medicines in hospital pharmacies transparent.
In this series of actions, the department's teams carried out surprise inspections of the pharmacies of 12 private hospitals in Lucknow between September 30 and October 1.
In this campaign, teams of 26 drug inspectors checked, as a priority, the availability of pharmacists in hospital pharmacies, medical oxygen, billing and stock records of life-saving medicines, cold-chain maintenance, storage arrangements, quality of medicines, and the rates at which hospitals purchase medicines and sell them to patients.
During the inspection, it was found that for some widely used medicines and some life-saving medicines, there is a large gap between the purchase price and the sale price charged to patients.
The hospital buys these medicines at a price much lower than the printed MRP, but sells them to patients at the MRP printed on the label, or with only a minor discount on it.
The inspection teams identified such medicines and collected 38 samples for quality analysis.
In addition, the investigation is being taken forward into the difference between the printed MRP of medicines and the price charged by the wholesale firms/stockists supplying hospitals, i.e. the PTR (Price to Retailer).
Under the campaign, the pharmacies of the following were inspected: Dr. K.N.S. Memorial Hospital, Vikas Khand 2; Shekhar Hospital, Indira Nagar; Max Super Speciality Hospital, Viraj Khand; Talwar Skin Institute, Indira Nagar; Medanta Lucknow; Globe Hospital, Nirala Nagar; Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital, Kanpur Road; Awadh Hospital & Heart Centre, Alambagh; Vivekanand Hospital, Nirala Nagar; Charak Hospital & Research Centre, Dubagga; Midland Hospital, Mahanagar; and Regency Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Khurram Nagar.
During the inspection at Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital, Kanpur Road, while sale invoices were found to be issued for the sale of medicines in accordance with the rules of the Drugs Rules, 1945, the stock ledger related to medicines, the patients' IPD files, and the mandatory registers related to the purchase and sale of Schedule H1 medicines were not produced.
Batch numbers were also not found recorded in the records available during the inspection. In view of these serious irregularities, directions were given to close the OPD pharmacy.
At Globe Hospital, Rajajipuram, records related to the purchase and sale of medicines were not produced. Medicines were also found stored at two different locations.
In view of this situation, one premises was sealed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
At Regency Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Khurram Nagar, the correct address of the firm was not found printed on the sale invoices.
A difference was found between physical stock and recorded stock across various batches of some medicines.
Differences were also found between the batch numbers of dispensed medicines and the batch numbers recorded in the related sale invoices.
At Dr. K.N.S. Memorial Hospital, it came to light that sale invoices were not being issued as per the provisions.
The patient's address, the doctor's registration number, and the license number required for Schedule X medicines were not found on these invoices.
At Shekhar Hospital, Schedule X medicines were found to have been purchased in the name of a doctor rather than under the prescribed license, and a difference was found between physical stock and the stock ledger.
At Talwar Skin Institute, the pharmacist was found absent. Here too, a difference between physical stock and the stock ledger, irregularities related to batch numbers, ordering of medicines through the MEDVOL app without proper maintenance of the required records, and a wrong address recorded on purchase invoices were found.
At Midland Hospital, a difference was found between the physical stock and the stock ledger of medicines kept under the cold chain. Discrepancies were also found in the physical stock and recorded stock of other medicines.
At Medanta Lucknow and Charak Hospital & Research Centre, alternative medicines were not found available for some high-priced medicines.
The department also brought within the scope of its investigation the availability of medicines in pharmacies and whether patients are being offered alternatives.
At Awadh Hospital & Heart Centre, differences were found in the physical stock and ledger of many medicines.
The firm claimed that it did not do business under a wholesale drug license, whereas the purchase records showed details of purchases of medicines from manufacturers, including Lupin Limited, under that same license.
The condition of storage and cleanliness in the pharmacy was also not found satisfactory.
The statewide campaign was started on 24 September 2026. In the first phase, the pharmacies of 21 government and private medical colleges located in 16 districts were inspected.
During this, pharmacists were found absent, or appointed in fewer numbers than the required number, at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly; Sharda School of Medical Sciences & Research, Noida; and Subharti Medical College, Meerut.
At Hind Medical College, Barabanki; Subharti Medical College, Meerut; and Heritage Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi, the arrangements for cold-chain management and maintenance of medicines were not found satisfactory.
At Hind Medical College, Barabanki and United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, purchases of Essential Narcotic Drugs in quantities exceeding the approved quantity also came to light.
The department has made it clear that the campaign will not be limited to inspections only. Show-cause notices are being issued to the concerned hospitals regarding the irregularities found in hospital pharmacies.
Along with this, notices are also being sent to the manufacturer/marketing firm and the hospital to clarify the position regarding the difference found between the printed MRP of medicines and the PTR of the wholesale firms/stockists supplying hospitals.
The wholesalers supplying medicines to hospitals are also being investigated, so that the entire process, from supply of medicines to sale to the patient, can be examined.
The department's focus is not limited only to ensuring the quality of medicines; the campaign is being carried forward in phases with the broader objective that patients get medicines at fair prices, that there is a transparent purchase and sale system in pharmacies, and that compliance with the prescribed rules is ensured at every level. UNI MBD ATP SAS
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