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Drug regulatory mechanism decentralised

BHUBANESWAR: A fortnight after detection of the fake drugs manufacturing racket at Kantabanjhi in Bolangir district, the government has decentralised its drug regulatory administration by forming the District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) to monitor circulation of spurious drugs. From now on, drug inspectors in the field will function under the direct supervision of the district Magistrate.

“The DLTFC will meet at least once every quarter. The decisions taken will be recommended to all concerned, including the drugs controller and the zonal deputy drugs controller,” said a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department.

In the wake of mounting criticism that drug inspectors were not performing their duty sincerely, the department made it mandatory for them to submit their tour programmes for approval to the district Magistrate.

“District Collectors will grant casual leave and the permission to leave the headquarters as may be required to drug inspectors working in the district,” the notifications said.

Moreover, the deputy drugs controller at the zonal level would review the performance of the drug inspectors at least once in a month. “They will co-ordinate with the district Magistrates and the Superintendents of Police in connection with the enforcement works, including periodic raids,” it said.

The deputy drugs controller would ensure recall of Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs as per the communication received from the drugs controller.

The Health Department also said that the deputy drugs controller of the zone would furnish monthly report to the drug controller indicating all activities under various Acts, including the district-wise licences issued or renewed, premises raided, samples drawn, stocks freezed and drugs seized.

The district administration would provide magisterial and vehicular support to conduct raid or inspect manufacturing or trading units, the notification said, adding that the district authority might also provide additional staff to drug inspectors wherever necessary.

After the racket was busted, the government suspended the local drug inspector while the Vigilance Department conducted raids at several places to ascertain the accused persons alleged corrupt practices.

During the past three years, the number of inspections on medical shops had come down gradually.

The number of licences issued as on date stood at 22,238. Out of them, retail counters were 14,051 and wholesale 7,150. There were 192 manufacturing units that deal in disinfectant, cosmetics, gauge, bandage and bulk drugs.

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