Maharashtra govt to launch drive against spurious drugs, oil & food

Maharashtra Foods & Drugs Administration will go digital for registration, certification and licences to curb corruption

Maharashtra Foods & Drugs Administration (FDA), will soon launch a state-wide drive against the manufacturing and sale of spurious drugs, oil and foods in the state and their inflows from other states.

A similar drive will also be launched against the sale of drugs at higher prices in violation of the Drug Price Control Order 2013, the drug regulatory body said.

To curb corruption and malpractices in manufacturing, selling and distribution of drugs, it will soon introduce a software wherein registration process, certification, no objection certificates, manufacturing and sellers licences with digital signature would be provided online to the comanies or people concerned.

The move comes close on the heels of its recent action against e-commerce companies for the sale of prescription drugs.

FDA commissioner Harshdeep Kamble told Business Standard,”Although the production and sale of spurious drugs is quite rare (in Maharastra) still it is a serious issue in the state. FDA being a regulator and monitoring agency is also receiving complaints about such drugs coming from Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.”

“FDA immediately takes samples of such drugs and takes due action. One thing is clear quality will not be compromised as human life is involved. A special drive will be launched soon to curb this menace.”

He said that the regulatory body will go as per its laboratory reports and initiate necessary action against the erring companies.

“FDA uploads all such reports on website,” he added.

“Further, FDA is extremely concerned about the sale of drugs at higher price.  FDA has already sent notices to some companies and they have been asked to refrain from such practices.”

“Besides that FDA will evaluate the batches of drugs produced and the nature of violation which will bring to the notice of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) for further action.” Kamble said it will focus on digitalisation to bring in transparency and curb graft.

“As on date an applicant has to apply online and get a copy of certificate online. FDA is now going a step further whereby once an applicant applies online he or she will get a certificate, registration number and licence with digital signature.”

“This will reduce interface between the applicant and FDA staff and drastically reduce corruption. This online service will be launched in next four months.”

Kamble added that a major drive will also be launched against the adulteration of food, milk and oil.

“On the lines of urine sticks, which check sugar in urine, FDA plans to use similar stick to test the milk. If FDA is able to have initially 25,000 milk testing kits in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane  there will be 25,000 agents who would be monitoring the milk quality.”

“This will be done with the active participation of customer. FDA expects to put in place milk testing kit and stick in 100 days to control adulteration.” Similar drive will be launched for food and oil in the coming months, he said.

He noted that the regulator will set up a special training institute to train 50,000 pharmacists posted in the chemist shops across the state in next five months.  “It is mandatory for every chemist to appoint a pharmacist and sell drugs as per the prescription of the doctor. Training of the pharmacists will make them aware of provisions of the Food Safety Act.”