The State government has sought the establishment of a special court to hear cases pertaining to the sale and the supply of spurious drugs and Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs, besides proposing to introduce a “drug recall” policy in Karnataka.
“A special court has been sought to try such cases as they are not reaching logical end in courts. Even courts have not taken such cases seriously. For the manufacturer, sitting in court for six to eight hours is the only punishment,” Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told the Legislative Council in response to a question from Congress member S. Ravi.
As many as 20 cases have been filed in the last three years over the supply of NSQ drugs in the State.
Besides seeking the special court, the Minister said that the State government is coming out with the “drug recall” policy with regard to NSQ ones. He said the policy could be one of the ways to make drug manufacturers responsible for their products.
“The State is also communicating with the Centre’s Drugs Control Department to address the issue of spurious drugs and NSQ drugs. Fear can be instilled in companies when there are examples of taking them to verge of closure through drug recall or higher fines. Currently, courts levy a meagre fine,” he said.
KAT stay
The Minister also expressed his dismay over the stay on transfers of doctors by the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).
“Doctors who were on deputation at the Food Safety Department went to KAT and got their transfer orders stayed citing that the transfers came in the middle of the year. However, we will get the stay vacated and take them back,” he said, in response to a question from Janata Dal (Secular) member T.A. Sharavana, who pointed out that there were 27 doctors on deputation at the Food Safety Department when their services were required in hospitals.
Published – March 17, 2025 08:26 pm IST