In order to maintain a complete database of the medicines and keep a registry on the details of various brands of drugs being used/ marketed in the state every year, the Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL) has decided to establish an institute for drug studies under its direct control. It will be named as KMSCL Institute of Drug Studies (KIDS).

According to sources from the corporation, the institute will take up projects and studies either by itself or as requested or recommended by the corporation or other government departments or agencies.

Initially, the major study involves the efficacy and impact of the generic drug supply scheme introduced by the Corporation in November last year. Further, it will take up an analytical study on the quality control system of drugs by the empanelled laboratories. The institute will also look into the storage and warehousing set up for medicines and pharmaceuticals in the hospitals of the state.

Dr K G Revikumar, former head of department of hospital and clinical pharmacy, government medical college, Thiruvananthapuram has been made the director & principal of the Institute.

According to Dr Revikumar, at the outset the institute will function in a separate room at the premises of the pharmacy council to synergize the facilities and expertise of the council and will later be shifted to own premises. The required infrastructural and instructional facilities will be provided by KMSCL. KIDS will collaborate with institutions, establishments, universities and other research, industrial and academic centers and shall generate its own fund by way of grant, project and other schemes.

The main functional activities of the institute are to coordinate, promote and conduct research and education programs on drug use, medicine policies and to maintain a registry of all aspects of drugs use. It will conduct research studies on the medicine usage pattern, problems related to procurement, indenting, storage, dispensing, usage of medicines, marketing, pricing, quality assurance, medication errors and adverse effects arising in hospitals and community set ups.

The institute will study or arrange to study various medicines related issues and problems in the hospital and community centers in the state and make recommendations to KMSCL as well as to the government. It will chalk out programs to educate the various stakeholders including patients, doctors, pharmacists, paramedical staff on the concept of essential medicines list, standard treatment guidelines, standard treatment practices, generic prescription, scientific research and good dispensing practices.

The director said the institute will study and analyse the data gathered by the corporation, drugs control laboratories and other offices and institutions. For the initial expenses, the KMSCL has allotted Rs.5 lakhs to the institute.