A mobile court in Chattogram has fined 29 pharmacies Tk10.93 lakhs for selling drugs at a higher price and selling unauthorised drugs.

Four executive magistrates of Chattogram district administration led the three-hour-long raid on Sunday in Hazari Gali – the largest wholesale market for medicines in Chattogram. 

Officials from the drug administration, RAB and Chattogram Metropolitan Police also took part in the drive.

Chattogram additional district magistrate Badiul Alam said as per the instruction of the deputy commissioner, four executive magistrates conducted a raid in Hazari Gali drug market and fined Tk 10.93 lakh for not keeping the receipts for sale and purchase of drugs, selling drugs at high prices, and selling counterfeit and expired drugs.

During the raid, executive magistrate Shirin Akhter and SM Alamgir fined 14 pharmacies Tk7 lakhs for selling drugs at excessive prices, selling physician samples and unlicensed drugs.

On the other hand, another executive magistrate Umar Farooq fined 10 pharmacies Tk3.43,000 for selling fake PPE, masks, and expired drugs at a higher price.

Besides, executive magistrate Ghalib Chowdhury fined five pharmacies Tk 50,000 for not keeping drug purchase and sale receipts and selling drugs at higher prices.