Two senior drug inspectors in the department of Tamil Nadu health services were placed under suspension by the State Drugs Control Department, following allegations of irregularities in their duties. The suspension orders were issued to both the inspectors on August 18, it is learnt.

The action was promptly taken by the Drug Control Department following an inspection carried out by officers deputed by the drugs controller, in the two zones where these inspectors were working. During the investigation it was found that the inspectors had done widespread irregularities in their work and did not attend to duties regularly.

One of the inspectors was in charge of zone three of Chennai Corporation and the other was handling Thirunelveli zone. The traders in these zones were complaining against these officials to the higher authorities for a long time, sources informed Pharmabiz.

State drugs controller M Bhaskaran said that the department will not allow anybody to do any kind of irregularities and the government has given strict instruction to his office to enforce the law strictly. The suspension of the two officers is part of a strict follow up of government instructions, he said.

According to sources, the drug inspector in charge of Chennai-three zone, Bhaskara Shantharupan, was irregular in attending the office work. Further, he was allegedly not obeying his superiors. For a long while, he was neither doing any inspection nor coming to the office.

Abdul Malik, the other drug inspector who was put under suspension, was also facing the same kind of allegations. Sources in the department said that for a long time the department was monitoring every movement of Abdul Malik as it had received several complaints from the traders. Abdul Malik was working in Tuttukkudi till last month and was transferred to Thirunelveli recently. Previously he was in charge of certain zones in Chennai and in Coimbatore, it was learnt.

Recently the drugs control department in the state has taken several steps to enforce the rules and laws properly in the administration as well as in the trade and industry. While speaking to Pharmabiz the drugs controller said, "Every three months we are conducting zonal review meetings as well as traders meetings. I am closely monitoring the work of every zonal officer and the drug inspectors in the state. If any irregularity is found, it will be soon referred to the government and as per the instruction of superior authorities, action will be initiated."

The State Drugs Control Department has 13 zonal offices. As of now, the total strength of the drug inspectors is only 74. It is facing a shortage of 40 percent drug inspectors post.

According to pharma industry people, the drug authorities in the state have been active in strictly enforcing the Drugs and Cosmetics Act in the state. As part of it, the drug department has taken strict action against 15 pharmacy outlets and one wholesale dealer for violation of rules. Licenses of two pharmacies and one wholesale dealer were suspended.

In one of the raids, the drug department seized Rs 20 lakh worth Tamiflu drugs used for H1N1 influenza from an IT services company in Chennai and later criminal and legal action was initiated against the firm.