Dubious lotion sellers asked to leave State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14 2014 : Announ-cing that four non-locals have been caught red-handed trading fake ayurvedic medicines, Fe-deration of Regional Indige- nous Society (FREINDS) today demanded that the said individuals pack up and leave Manipur by tomorrow.

Speaking to newspersons at the Keishampat office today, FREINDS president Sa- pamcha Jadumani said since January 11 the Society's volunteers along with representa- tives of Ayurvedic Doctors' Association (ADA) have been carrying out specific drives to ascertain whether or not lotions/mixtures sold on the street corners by non-Manipuris are genuine ayur- vedic medicines and safe for consumption/application.

Even as the drive was on FREINDS came across a Ma-nipur Rifles personnel from Kangpokpi but presently staying at the 2nd MR complex, purchasing ayurvedic medicines namely Kaya Palat (Rs 3000) and Ahatrpaushti (Rs 150) from a Nagamapal pharmaceutical shop (Ideal Phar- macy) as he was suffering from a disease of the reproductive organ.

The MR man was reportedly prescribed the ayurvedic medicine by a street side self-acclaimed ayurvedic practitio- ner identified by Jadumani as Chote Singh (30) s/o Nor Ratan Singh from Jalong district in Uttar Pradesh.

Road-side ayurvedic item sellets

Chote Singh is said to be trading his merchandise and professional service from his temporary shop located near Khoyathong traffic point.

Apart from chote, the drive team also picked up ayu-rvedic practitioners Kamal Singh (23) s/o Khunar, Raj-kumar Singh (35) and Ramra- ti baee, all of UP, from Hatta Minuthong and Sangakpham areas, said the Society president adding that during preliminary inquiry by the ADA representatives the self-styled ayurvedic practitioners could neither produce approved documents (certificates) nor explain elaborately the potions/lotions they have been selling.

Claiming that FREINDS has been getting a number of complaints about individuals suffering from allergic reactions and drowsiness after consuming ayurvedic medicines either purchased from road side practitioners or from pharmaceutical outlets based on the advise of these road side practitioners, Jadumani opined that such practices both suggest absence of legal mechanism to curb the unethical sale of medicinal goods, if any, and duping vulnerable section of the people of manipur.

Further conveying that those rounded up for alleged medical mal-practice were more than happy to go to jail as it would guarantee them two square meal a day when told that their practice amount to criminal offence, Jadumani demanded that both Health and Home departments prove their existence and effectiveness in the State.

While the FREINDS president declared that the self-styled ayurvedic practitioners leave Manipur by tomorrow, ADA Manipur general secretary Dr N Paona cautioned the general public against consulting unauthorised as well as street-corner ayurvedic practitioners for any disease as the condition may only get aggravated rather than relief.

Dr Paona also confirmed that none of those rounded up during the drive could neither furnish document/certificate issued by approval authorities nor elaborate convincingly about their wares/products.