Even as the cases of expired drugs in Tamil Nadu are under the consideration of the Madras High Court and the police is still continuing their investigations, the state drugs control department, which is now better equipped, is engaged in bringing out a concrete solution to thwart the recurrence of such menace in future, anywhere in the country.

The director of the drugs control administration has written to the Drugs Controller General of India to take steps for amendment of Drugs & Cosmetics Act and requested the DCGI to take the issue with the Union government.

Along with this, the department has also started to implement confidence building measures within the state by intensifying regular raids and seizures in each and every corner; of which the officials are of opinion that these activities can restore its lost glory and public confidence. In the meantime, it has cancelled the drug licenses of four distribution companies in connection with expired drug case.

According to the director, there is some sort of lacunae in the D&C Act in controlling the circulation of expired drugs. The Act does not specifically fix responsibility on the manufacturer for recall and disposal of the time-barred drugs. So the Act has to be amended, M Bhaskaran, the director said. But the director lamented that the DCGI has not responded to his suggestion and not even shown any interest to speak to him over telephone despite repeated calls. He said, quoting some bitter experiences of some industry people, that the present DCGI is averse to maintaining a friendly relation with the common man. He said even his department officials find it difficult in dealing with some cases related to blood banks due to the unhelpful attitude of the highest authority.

Bhaskaran said when the issue of recycling of expired drugs came up, he reminded him about the lacunae in the Act, but the DCGI has neither replied to his letter nor heard anything about the issue. However, he said, he would send one more letter to the DCGI inviting his attention to the need of an amendment in the Act.

The Tamil Nadu drug control officials have unearthed the recycling of expired medicines by a group of persons in March this year and later the case was transferred to the CB-CID. Following it, the department has cancelled the drug licenses of four distributors. G H Pharma, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Mamtha Pharma distributors, Choolai, Chennai, Sri Ganapathy Agency, Choolai, Chennai and Sri Karpagambal Pharmaceuticals, Madanandapuram, Chennai are the companies whose licenses were cancelled last week.

Meanwhile, the investigating agency has registered cases against two more arrested persons under Goondas Act last week. They are Keasava Srinivasalu and Vallambhas, both are hailing from Andhra Pradesh.