Routine inspection of pharmacies in Kerala has taken a beating due to acute shortage of pharmacy inspectors and also due to the ad hoc basis in which the pharmacy inspectors are being appointed by the Kerala State Pharmacy Council (KSPC). For inspecting more than 2,000 pharmacies spread over 14 districts of the state, there are only seven pharmacy inspectors at present.

In order to ensure presence of pharmacists in all the pharmacies, the KSPC appoints pharmacy inspectors in the state for routine inspections and filing of charges. But as of now, these posts are filled on part time basis, which has resulted in poor state of affairs.

Sources from the KSPC said, that there are only an average one inspector for every two districts in the state. There are seven inspectors for the entire state for inspecting large number of pharmacy outlets in Kerala. And they were mostly pharmacists holding a degree in pharmaceutical studies.

Stating reasons for the poor performance of these pharmacy inspectors, sources said, that as the pharmacists were donning the role of the inspectors on part time, they were unable to spend much time in filing cases and other procedures, etc. Moreover as they do not have time experience in charging cases and other law enforcing procedures, they could not discharge their duties properly.

Seized of the issue, the KSPC is preparing a proposal by under which it could induct retired government officials like drug inspectors, pharmacy council members etc for the post of pharmacy inspectors. "The government officials have much experience when it comes to enforcement procedures like filing a case etc. So we are considering the issue of appointing them as pharmacy inspectors," said a highly informed source.

According to him, even though routine checks were not being carried out, the existing pharmacy inspectors were sent to the field to discharge their duty only when a situation arises.

Another source said that, even the decision to appoint government officials as pharmacy inspectors were undecided and the issue would be resolved after a council meeting. "The issue of appointing government officials as inspectors is only an idea which we have. The measured to make the pharmacy inspectors stronger enough to act against the malpractices will be decided by the council in its next meeting," said the source.

Speaking about the proposed M N V G Adiyodi Memorial Pharmaceutical Sciences College planned on 5 acres land with an investment of Rs 5 crore, he said that the date for laying the foundation stone would be decided after the general body meting of the council to be held in March.