The Hindu: New Delhi:Tuesday,
February 12, 2013.
In a worrying
trend, there has been an increase in cases of fake drugs in last three years
and efforts by authorities to encourage whistleblowers to report such illegal
activity too have failed to elicit the desired response.
Of the total
of 345 cases of spurious or fake drugs reported between 2009-12 by Central
Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), 117 were in 2009-10, 95 in 2010-11
and 133 in 2011-12, according to information provided by Health Ministry in
response to an RTI query.
The CDSCO has
tested about 1.37 lakh drug samples in the last three years. Of these, 6,500
samples were declared of sub-standard quality other than 345 cases of fake
drugs.
The Health
Ministry has launched prosecution in 516 cases against various persons for
manufacturing, sale and distribution of spurious or adulterated drugs during
the period.
As many as
345 persons were arrested for selling and manufacturing fake drugs, it said.
During
2009-10, a total of 39,248 drug samples were tested and 1,942 were found to be
of inferior quality. The central health authorities have launched prosecution
in 138 cases and arrested 173 persons during the year.
Whereas in
2010-11, about 49,682 drugs samples were tested and 2,372 of them were found to
be of sub-standard quality. Authorities have launched prosecution in 167 cases
in which 72 persons were arrested, the reply said.
A total of
48,082 drugs samples were tested in 2011-12, in which 2,186 were found to be
below the standard. The Health Ministry authorities initiated prosecution in
211 cases in which 141 persons were arrested.
A whistle
blower scheme was launched by the Ministry in August 2009 to reward any
individual who gives information related to fake drugs but all the complaints
were found to be false.
“There were
37 complaints received under the whistle blower scheme by this organisation.
The complaints were investigated by the concerned State Drug Controlling
Authorities, CDSCO and in certain cases both the authorities had jointly
investigated the complaints.
“However, the
complaints were found to be fictitious and no person has been awarded under
this scheme till date,” the Directorate General of Health Services said in
reply to the RTI query filed by PTI.
The whistle
blower scheme was launched by the government to encourage vigilant public
participation in the detection of movement of spurious drugs in the country.
During
2007-08, as many as 39,117 drugs samples were tested of which 2,429 were found
to be of sub-standard quality. A total of 77 samples were found to be spurious
during the year. The prosecution was launched in 120 cases and 122 persons were
arrested, it said.
While in
2008-09, 45,145 samples were tested by the CDSCO in which 2,597 samples were of
inferior quality. As many as 157 of them were found to be adulterated. The
Health Ministry has launched prosecution in 220 cases in which 133 persons were
arrested during the period.
“Stringent
penalties for manufacture of spurious and adulterated drugs have now been
provided to make it deterrent for the antisocial elements to indulge in
manufacture of spurious drugs. Certain offenses have also been made cognisable
and non-bailable,” the Ministry said on measures being taken by the Government
to check fake drugs.
The states or
Union Territories were requested to set up special courts for trial of offenses
under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for speedy disposal of cases.
“The
inspectorate staff has been instructed to keep vigil and draw samples of drugs
for test and analysis to monitor the quality of drugs moving in the country,”
it said.
According to
a 2009 report of countrywide survey for spurious, 67 cases each were reported
in 2003-04 and 2007-08, 144 in 2004-05, 145 in 2005-06 and 66 in 2006-07.
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