A worrying situation has emerged in Kerala, raising alarms among medical representatives and pharmacists. They’re concerned about the suspected flow of counterfeit and poor-quality medicines into the state through unofficial and unregulated channels, posing a significant risk to public health.
Typically, pharmaceutical products follow a strict supply chain: manufacturers’ depots distribute them to authorized pharmacy stores and hospitals. However, the Kerala Medical and Sales Representatives Association (KMSRA), an affiliate of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, reports that unauthorized groups are now circumventing this legitimate process. P.K. Santhosh, the State General Secretary of KMSRA, highlights that these illicit vendors are offering drugs at prices significantly lower than those from official company depots, raising serious questions about the origin and quality of these medicines.
Santhosh further explains that many of these suspicious drugs are allegedly transported by train from other states. Crucially, they are often stored at ambient temperatures during transit, which can severely compromise their effectiveness and safety. He urges authorities to investigate how these drugs can be sold at such drastically reduced prices compared to their standard market value. KMSRA officials emphasize that the tragic deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, caused by cough syrups contaminated with diethylene glycol, should serve as an urgent warning for Kerala’s state authorities.
A.N. Mohan, State President of the All-Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA), reveals that these suspected counterfeit medications are being brought into Kerala from various cities, including Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Madurai (Tamil Nadu), and Bengaluru (Karnataka). He cited a specific incident where a private bus operator was found transporting medicines from Puducherry to Kozhikode without any proper inspection. The lure of low prices is significant, with insulin drugs reportedly offered at a 20% discount and other medicines ranging from 10% to a staggering 70% off. AKCDA representatives indicate a widespread ‘infiltration’ of both prominent and generic drug brands from other states, facilitated by both unauthorized and some purportedly ‘authorized’ stockists.
Adding to the concern is the significant staff shortage within the Drugs Control Department. This lack of adequate drug inspectors and other essential personnel severely hampers their ability to effectively conduct checks and sample verification, creating a dangerous loophole for illicit activities.
In response to this escalating crisis, KMSRA plans to hold a protest (‘dharna’) outside the State Drugs Controller’s office in Thiruvananthapuram on November 5, pressing for urgent action against the unauthorized sale of fake medicines. The AKCDA has also scheduled a crucial meeting in Kochi on November 14 to address the issue, with representatives from pharmaceutical companies and Drugs Control Department officials anticipated to participate.