Chemist shut after notice period expired

Following the expiry of the notice period given to the chemist who sold a used cannula to a heart patient, the shop was locked down on Thursday.

It was in April this year when the chemist had sold off a used cannula to the family of Surjit Singh who was to undergo heart surgery at PGI’s advanced Cardiac Centre.

However a notice outside the shop put up by the chemist read that the shop would remain closed for a day on account of a family function. Sources in PGI revealed that a decision in this regard was taken last month, the chemist was served a notice to vacate the shop within 30 days. As the deadline ended on Thursday, the chemist shut the shop and approached the court against the decision of PGI.

On April 18, one of the doctors caught hold of the used cannula before the cardiac thoracic surgery of 69-year-old Surjit Singh. There was a bloodstain on the cannula indicating that it had been already used. The family members had purchased the cannula from Aditya Medicos, a chemist in PGI’s market complex and they also had the bill in their possession.

A three-member inquiry committee was then constituted which indicted the chemist for selling the used surgical item. The findings of the committee were put before PGI’s estate committee on June 22, which recommended cancellation of the shop and debarred him from participating in the tendering process of the institute for two years.