The drug control office in Idukki district in Kerala has recommended to the ADC, Ernakulam to initiate stringent action against some retail pharmacies operating in various parts of the district for dispensing medicines to the farmers without doctor’s prescription.

According to DCA sources, there were reports that the cardamom growers were widely using steroid tablets, vitamin tablets and analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs in their plantations to get better yield. The drug control officials also found that huge quantities of wysolone tablets were sold by the medical stores located in some pockets close to cardamom plantations in the district. The officials do not rule out chances of drugs coming from Tamil Nadu to Idukki as the district is bordering the state.

A Saju, drug inspector of Idukki said a group called ‘Plant Doctors’ are prescribing the medicines to the farmers for spraying them after mixing with water on the cardamom flowers and leaves. He said this group of people, acting as consultants, have no medical background or experience. On his enquiry he found that steroids were selling through medical stores to the cardamom growers.

After mixing wysolone, aspirin and multi-vitamin tablets with water, the cardamom farmers were allegedly spraying the solution on the plants.

When contacted the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Idukki, the research wing of Spices Board, Dr J Thomas, its director said based on the findings of the drug inspector and the media reports, an enquiry was conducted and started giving awareness classes to the farmers against the use of steroids on plants and seeds. He said some free lancing agro-chemical agents working as consultants in the area are advising the farmers to use such medicines. He added that so far no comprehensive study has been conducted on the use of allopathic drugs for cardamom plants and there is no scientific proof of better produce resulted from the application of drugs on plants.

On Thomas’ inquiry it was found that the farmers were using the steroids and some antibiotics for the making a solution which will contain, besides the drugs, jaggery, vinegar and cow dung. Before spraying it over the plants, some pesticides will also be added to the mixture, the director told Pharmabiz.

While congratulating the drug control department for its pro-active measures to unearth the unethical farming methods applied by cardamom growers of Kattappana, Nedungantam, Pooppara and Kumali, the director of ICRI said a departmental enquiry will also be held on the matter following the report. He alleged that the medical stores in the areas have ready-made parcels of tablets of wysolone, aspirin and B complex meant for the farmers of cardamom.