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‘Fake drugs still flooding market’

BERHAMPUR: Nothing much has been done to root out fake drugs racket in the state, allege pharmacists of south Orissa. Police had busted a fake drugs manufacturing unit in Bolangir district last year following allegations of sale of fake and spurious drugs in different parts of the State. The South Orissa Pharmacists’ Association (SOPA) was the first organisation in the State to come out with proof regarding sale of spurious drugs in Orissa market.

Convener of SOPA Nageswar Prusty said after unearthing of the fake drugs manufacturing unit, the State Government came up with immediate action plans to check entry of fake and spurious drugs into the state. The Orissa High Court had also intervened and directed the State Government to initiate strict action in this regard. But no action was taken to implement the action plan, alleged activists of SOPA.

Only after the revelation of fake drugs racket the State Government had found that there was dearth of drugs inspectors in the State. It was then decided to appoint 20 more drugs inspectors. But it is yet to be done. According to Mr Prusty, distribution of spurious drugs has not stopped in the State as there is still now proper measure to check on its sale. As the State Drugs Department is facing staff crunch, no major raids were conducted.

The State Government had also mooted formation of special task forces in each district of the State to keep close watch on circulation of fake medicines and illegal termination of pregnancy cases. . The task forces were to set up separate squads to raid medical shops and drugs manufacturing units regularly to check the quality of drugs. According to SOPA, these task forces even do not hold regular meetings.

Till now the State is not having a proper laboratory to check authenticity of drugs. The samples of spurious drugs have to be tested outside the State. Although funds are available a modern laboratory is still a dream, said Mr Prusty.

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