KATHMANDU, Dec 28: The Ministry of Health has extended the deadline to register pharmacies and clinics being operated illegally.

According to the MoH, there are about 1,600 clinics, pharmacies and dental homes in the Kathmandu Valley. Among them, more than 50 percent are running illegally without registration or renewal.

The MoH has sealed some 100 clinics and pharmacies operated illegally in the Valley. Earlier, the ministry had asked the illegal firms to register or renew their registration by mid February. 

“Now, we have extended the deadline by mid-March,” said Jeevan Bhandari, press advisor to Health Minister Gagan Thapa. “If they do not abide by the directive, the illegal firms will be permanently shut down,” he added.

The illegal firms have to pay a charge five times more than the general fee for once, according to the MoH. “Even the health workers are also prohibited to work in the illegal private clinics and firms as per the recently formulated health regulation,” said Bhandari.

 
• ministry of health
 
• illegal clinics
 
• pharmacies