Question : Spurious Drugs

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether with a view to keeping an eye on the quality of drugs and to check sale of spurious drugs the Government has approved any scheme for setting up mini drug testing laboratories in the country;

(b) if so, the details in this regard along with the salient features of the said scheme and the present status thereof;

(c) the details of funds earmarked and released by the Government for the said scheme;

(d) whether the Government proposes to expedite the setting up of drugs test labs; and

(e) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) to (e): The Government has approved a proposal for strengthening of drug regulatory system in the country. This includes setting up of 08 Mini Drug Testing Laboratories at identified ports/sea-ports in the country to reduce the testing time thereby enabling expeditious release of consignments, in line with the policy of ease of doing business. Estimated cost of setting up these 08 mini labs is Rs.24 crore. Expenditure of Rs.4.39 crore has been incurred for these labs during the year 2016-17 in procurement of equipment.

Expeditious action has been taken for setting up these labs and necessary accommodation has been arranged for all the Mini labs except the lab at Kolkata Sea Port due to non-availability of space at reasonable rate.