The union health ministry is seeking special financial provisions during the next Five Year Plan to help the State Drug Control departments to improve the infrastructure and increase manpower, in a bid to further reign on the sale of substandard and expired drugs that goes unabated across the country.


According to sources, the Ministry will include this proposal in their detailed report of the Working Group to the Planning Commission while preparing the 12th Five Year Plan. As of now, the States do not have adequate financial support for the purpose and the Health Ministry wants a separate provision in the Plan outlay to improve the regulatory mechanism in the States. The Centre will give required technical guidance for this purpose.


If the data collected by the Ministry about the number of spurious drugs cases is any indication, the menace continues unabated across the country. During the current year so far, as many as 49682 samples were collected and tested, and out them, 2372 were declared not of standard quality. The samples tested during 2009-10 were 39,248 and the number of substandard drugs was 1942, thus making an increase this year. During 2008-09, the total number of samples tested stood at 45,145 and the number of substandard drugs at 2,597.


In the case of spurious drugs, the number this year came down to 95 from 157 in 2008-09 and 117 in 2009-10. The authorities initiated prosecutions in 167 cases this year, against 138 during the last fiscal year.


In the case of expired drugs also, there is a clear spurt. As many as 67,391 samples worth Rs.65,83,579 were seized this year so far, thanks to the stepped up efforts and raids by the authorities. However, out the samples, only 32 cases were found to be expired drugs. Last year, the drug control authorities had seized just 44 samples during the whole year and out them, 17 cases of expired drugs were found. In the case of arrests also, there is rise from two last year to 28 this year and prosecutions have started in 13 cases.


Hence, the Union Ministry wants more strength to the State regulatory mechanism to carry out raids and collection of samples widely.


“Strengthening of drug regulatory system by bringing in new technologies is an on-going process. Moreover, the Central Government has taken initiative to strengthen manpower in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to cope with the increasing workload. The posts are in the process of being filled up. Drugs & Cosmetics Act (D&C Act) was amended in 2008 for making a provision for setting up of special courts for trial of cases related to the offences under the said Act. States/UT’s of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Tripura, Lakshadweep, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Kerala have set up designated special courts,” sources said.