Patna, Feb. 24: Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey had a verbal duel with the opposition RJD bench in the Assembly today over sale of fake medicines in the state.

The RJD members staged a walkout following the verbal exchange, as the minister declared that he knew who promoted sale of fake medicines during the RJD regime. “You are indulging in dramatics. I know how and who promoted sale of fake medicines during your regime,” said Choubey, even as Leader of the Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui said the laboratory to test drugs in the state was virtually defunct.

The issue of sale of fake medicines in Patna was raised by BJP member Avanish Kumar Singh during Question Hour when he pointed out that the Patna police had raided the epicentre of medicine wholesale trade — Govind Mitra Road, Patna — seven times between January and June last year and found fake medicines being sold.

However, he alleged that the office of the controller of drugs had failed to initiate any steps against fake medicine dealers.

He alleged that drug inspectors were involved in this murky business. He demanded action against drug inspectors and traders indulging in it. The minister said the Patna police had raided Govind Mitra Road thrice and FIRs had been lodged against three persons in connection with sale of fake drugs.

He said he had already issued an order in his department to issue showcause notices on drug inspectors under whose jurisdiction sale of fake drugs was detected.

The BJP MLA, however, said the state laboratory for testing these drugs was not functioning owing to absence of trained staff. He said getting the drugs tested in Calcutta and other states took at least six months’ time.

The minister replied that his government was committed towards strengthening the laboratory in Patna and also opening labs in the divisional headquarters.