The Union health ministry has announced commencement of a nationwide survey of spurious and counterfeit drugs starting from December 1 as a part of its strategy to eliminate the menace from the country. The survey is expected to be completed by January 15 with the collection of 3 lakh samples of drugs from medical stores across the country. The drive aims to prepare an authentic report about the prevalence of spurious and counterfeit drugs. The ministry is employing 600 volunteers on contract basis mostly pharmacy graduates for the purpose. These volunteers are expected to move to all the 8,500 talukas of the country and will collect samples of drugs from medical stores. According to DCGI, the collected samples will be sent to the original manufacturers to verify whether the product is original or counterfeited. After verification, the doubtful products will be sent for further testing. This is first time a nationwide survey of spurious and counterfeit drugs is being undertaken by the government. This initiative should bring an end to highly exaggerated and baseless estimates of spurious drugs in the country by various agencies including WHO.

It is obvious that spurious and counterfeit drugs cannot be marketed without the active support of the retail chemists as it is they who stock these products and sell them for very high margins. Now after the survey is completed, the government should get somewhat a clear picture about the problem. Pharmaceutical trade should be able to provide information about the major distributors and manufacturing locations. Once the distribution network and manufacturing facilities are identified, there has to be raids and sealing of these establishments. An action plan has to be drawn up for this as a few politicians are supporting this illegal activity in some of the states. The Union health ministry has already drafted a bill empowering the government to end the menace some time ago. The Drugs & Cosmetics Amendment Bill 2007 contains stringent provisions such as a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Rs 10 lakh for those engaged in manufacturing spurious and fake drugs. There are also punishments prescribed for the trade. The Bill has retained the provision of making the offences cognizable and non bailable. Another provision in the Bill is the designation of one or more session courts as special courts for trial of offences relating to spurious and substandard drugs. These are sufficient deterrents to curb this dangerous activity. Now, what is required is the passing of the Bill without any further delay and speedy implementation of the newly framed act so that the government can commence action on the basis of the survey.