The Kerala Drug Controller has directed the retail drug stores in the state not to dispense any veterinary drugs without proper prescriptions from the veterinary surgeons registered with the Kerala State Veterinary Council.

The move follows complaints from the council that many technical staff attached to veterinary hospitals and quacks have been prescribing the medicines. Further, many of the pharma companies manufacturing and marketing veterinary drugs endorse and promote this illegal parallel drug distribution system, it is learnt.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, T.P.Gopinathan, Drug Controller, Kerala, said the decision follows widespread complaints from the veterinary doctors that most of the medical stores were selling veterinary drugs without proper prescriptions. In many cases, para veterinarians like even the assistants and attendants attached to the veterinary hospitals were prescribing the drugs and the retail pharmacists were dispensing their prescriptions without any objection.

The Kerala State Veterinary Council brought this to the notice of the Drug Controller and had demanded to issue an order to prevent this illegal practice, said T.P.Gopinathan.

When contacted Dr.K.G. Suma, president of the Kerala State Veterinary Council, said a parallel veterinary drug dispensing system was actively prevalent in the state. There were many complaints from the council members that the field workers of most of the veterinary drug manufacturing companies were approaching para vetenerians and technical staff like the livestock inspectors, in addition to qualified veterinary doctors, to promote their drugs.

The state had shortage of qualified veterinary doctors until a few years ago. Therefore, in many places, even the support staff used to prescribe drugs, though without proper prescriptions. Resultantly a parallel veterinary drug dispensation system mushroomed in the state, as people also found it a cheaper way of treatment to their pet animals and livestock.

At present the state has adequate veterinary hospitals and qualified practitioners, with at least one veterinary hospital in every panchayath. About 2500 qualified veterinary doctors have registered with the Kerala Veterinary Council, which includes 1500 odd doctors working in the Government sector and a substantial number of doctors practicing in private clinics after retirement from the service, said Dr.K.G.Suma.