Kerala Health Department has strengthened inspection and vigilance of the drugs coming into the state after recent news reports of recycling of expired drugs by certain anti social elements in Tamil Nadu, P K Sreemathi, teacher, the state health minister here said.

Minister said in the government hospitals, there is no chance of circulation of expired or spurious drugs as the department is getting the drugs directly from the manufacturing companies through State Medical Services Corporation.

The Minister was speaking to Pharmabiz on the sidelines of a public meeting organized by the Federation of All India Malayalis Association, in Chennai.

"Unlike other states, medicines for government hospitals in Kerala are supplied through the state medical services corporation which procures the items directly from the manufacturing companies. There is no role for middleman or wholesalers in the chain of drug supply to the state. Only after three levels of screening we are procuring the medicines and everything is transparent," the minister said.

Regarding private pharmacies, she said the department of drug control is conducting periodical inspections and if any violation is detected strict action will be initiated.

Sources in the Kerala Medical Services Corporation said the corporation gives orders for medicines to a company only after a joint inspection to the company's plant by officers of medical corporation and the state drugs control department to check whether the company has the drug license and good manufacturing facilities. For items other than drugs, including surgical and doctors' apparatus, samples of items will be screened by an expert committee of doctors before signing procurement orders.

According to the minister, the comprehensive health insurance scheme being implemented by the state health department, gives benefit to thousands of poor people in Kerala. A man, with mere Rs.30 premium is entitled to receive the healthcare benefit for Rs 70,000 from the present insurance scheme, The scheme can be made used by even Keralites living outside the state also provided they obtain the insurance card from the respective states.

The State Medical Services Corporation supplies medicines to six medical colleges, 14 district hospitals and 1500 health centres in Taluka and in village levels. Government has earmarked a sum of Rs 145 crore for procurement of medicines for the year 2010 -2011. Last year the Corporation purchased drugs worth about Rs 140 crore.