Chennai: In an effort to prevent the movement of NSQ (Not of Standard Quality) drugs, spurious and banned drugs, the State Drugs control administration (DCA) authorities have introduced SMS alert services at the 14 zonal offices from where instant information would be disseminated to all the drugs inspectors.
In addition, it has been planned to launch a mobile squad to maintain a strict vigil over the movement of NSQs and spurious drugs and also form special teams to detect violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Drugs Price Control Order and Drugs and Magic Remedies (DMROA) Act, respectively. The aim of the mission to weed out “unwanted” drugs is to ensure availability of qualitatively standard drugs at correct prices for the benefit of consumers in the state, it was pointed out.
On the cards is to create awareness among the members of the public to exercise caution while purchasing drugs. So far, the DCA authorities have seized spurious drugs totally worth about '25,000 and initiated appropriate legal action by filing two cases before the court, besides initiating cases against firms for manufacture and sale of NSQ drugs.
Sources said the officials under director of drugs control S. Abdul Khadar and deputy director S. Sivabalan were periodically reviewing the performance and have strictly directed the drugs inspectors not to spare anyone contravening the rules. Over 387 cases of violations under the D & C Act 1940 and Rules 1945, have been reported so far.
