Bhopal:In a strict enforcement of pharmaceutical regulations, a Bhopal court has sentenced the owner of a medical store to three years' imprisonment for running the establishment without a registered pharmacist, a clear violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. As per various media accounts, the incident came to light during routine inspections by the Drugs Control Department, which discovered that the store was operating without a qualified pharmacist on duty. Investigators found that medicines were being dispensed and transactions recorded without any licensed professional supervising the process — a serious breach of statutory norms designed to prevent errors in dispensing and ensure safe handling of pharmaceutical products. During the trial, the accused argued that the absence of a pharmacist was due to temporary staffing shortages. However, the prosecution successfully demonstrated that such lapses could endanger patients and violate legal requirements. The court emphasized that all medical stores must strictly comply with the mandate of having a registered pharmacist present at all times to safeguard public health. As a result, the owner was convicted and sentenced to three years of imprisonment, alongside fines, and the court ordered the revocation of the medical store’s license, reportsWebdunia. Authorities underscored that this verdict serves as a stern warning to other pharmacy owners in Madhya Pradesh: operating without proper professional oversight will attract stringent legal action. According to a recent media report inDainik Bhaskar,officials and legal experts have highlighted that adherence to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act is essential not only for legal compliance but also for protecting patients from potential medication errors and unsafe practices.