Andhra Pradesh Drug Control Department may consider asking all wholesalers dealing in pharmaceuticals in the state to register themselves with full details of their transanctions with outside states in a bid to control flow of spurious drugs into the state, according to Ranga Rao, full additional charge and joint director.

Talking to Pharmabiz, he said that compulsory registration all the label printers catering to the pharmaceutical units with client details with DCA could be another step to bring a check on the sale of spurious drugs in the state.

Most of the spurious drugs in AP are coming from other states, and keeping a check is an immediate necessity. And for this, cooperation from wholesalers is extremely important, Rao said.

He said that controlling spurious and substandard drugs, look- alike brands, etc. pose a great challenge to the department. It is also necessary to ensure the quality of blood that is supplied by blood banks.

DCA needs to continuously work with industry associations, chemist associations, consumer forums to improve the efficiency of the drugs department. In the recent past, the department has given required attention to build the image of the department and ensured transparency in its functioning, he added.

He felt that, the medical fraternity is to be properly linked with the department as it plays an important role in dealing with patients and chemists.

On the shortage of the drugs inspectors in the state, he commented, the department needs more drugs inspectors as there has been a gradual increase in the number of sales outlets and industrial units, and how the government wants to recruit the inspectors is up to its discretion.