THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This could send chills up your spine. Several essential drugs, including those used during complicated surgeries such as the ones performed on spine, are found sub standard after being circulated in the market for a long period.
In the latest such example, the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) has asked hospitals to avoid a spinal anaesthesia drug prevalent in the market for the last two years. Ironically, the direction has come when the current batch of Bupivacaine in Dextrose INJ expires in April 2017.
This has reinforced doubts regarding standard of drugs being sold in the state and about the alleged nexus between the pharma companies and the powers that be. It has been alleged medicine manufacturers delay the results of the tests so that bulk of their stock reaches market.
The shadow of doubt is on authorities too as they have been accused of not testing samples of drugs even after doctors expressed concern about their standard. Result: Sub par medicines at a scorching price, particularly in government hospitals across the state.
Kerala Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA) president Sunjith Ravi said critical care drugs should be purchased only after ensuring their quality. “If the quality of drugs is not assured before being used, they can be dangerous for patients,” he said.
The drug quality control system in the state is alarmingly tenuous considering Kerala consumes about 20% of drugs being made in the country. Reason: The State Drugs Control Department has only limited resources to check substandard drugs.
Officers said nearly 3 lakh batches of medicines hit the state market every year but only three per cent is being put under quality test.
“According to the Mashlekar Committee report, one inspector is recommended for 200 drug stores. We have almost 20,000 drug shops and our strength is just 47 inspectors. Hence we cannot have an effective check of all the drugs that come in the market,” said State Drugs Controller in-charge Ravi S Menon.