Dimapur pharmacy shut down for aiding fake doctor’s practice

Published on May 22, 2025

DIMAPUR — Nearly three weeks after Dimapur Police arrested Albert P Lotha for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor and practising without qualifications, the state’s Drugs Control Administration has shut down a well-known Dimapur pharmacy, Medical Hall, for facilitating his illegal activities.
The pharmacy, located at New Market, remained closed for two days following a May 20 order from the Controlling and Licensing Authority of the Health and Family Welfare department. The case came to light following a complaint lodged by the Nagaland Medical Council in January.
In a suspension order issued on May 20, the state’s Controlling and Licensing Authority noted that M/s Medical Hall was being used as an unregistered OPD clinic, with medicines dispensed on prescriptions issued by the accused fake doctor.
Taking suo motu cognisance, the department initiated an investigation and later cancelled the pharmacy’s Drugs License (DL/NL/05/06) under Rule 66 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945.

A show-cause notice was issued to the pharmacy, but officials concluded that the response had “no substantial cause.”
The investigation also found that the pharmacy had violated certain sections of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act by failing to maintain proper records for the procurement and sale of Schedule III and restricted drugs.
According to the department, the pharmacy’s defence was self-contradictory. While it claimed not to have sold medicines without prescriptions, it also admitted that the proprietor rarely visited the premises—raising further questions about oversight and compliance.
Also, the department highlighted the inconsistencies in the explanation of how restricted drugs were handled, despite the pharmacy providing documentation of procurement approvals.
In addition to the license cancellation, Medical Hall has been directed to dispose of its stock of drugs in accordance with Rule 66A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules.
It has been ordered to submit details of the drugs intended for disposal, along with the name, license number, and address of the receiving firm, within one month.
According to the department, the findings represent serious violations, including operating as an unregistered clinic, unauthorised prescription of drugs, and improper maintenance of records.