Question : Spurious Drugs

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

(a) the number of drugs samples that were found to be spurious, sub-standard/ expired and number of people arrested during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government plans to provide infrastructure, mobility inter-state coordination, vigilance and intelligence sharing among all the States/UTs to detect the distribution and marketing of spurious drugs;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to implement the recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee Report on spurious and substandard drugs; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a): The details of spurious, sub-standard and expired drugs as reported by the States/Union Territories and action taken against offenders during last three years and current year are at Annexure – I and Annexure – II.

(b): Yes.

(c) to (e): The Government has approved a scheme for strengthening the Drug Regulatory System in the country, both at the Central and State level, with an outlay of Rs.1750 crore during the 2015-16 to 2017-18. The Scheme includes augmentation of human resources as well as physical infrastructure and e-governance to improve better coordination amongst the Central and State regulatory authorities. Further, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 was amended in 2008 to provide stringent penalties for manufacture of spurious and adulterated drugs. Certain offences have also been made cognizable and non-bailable. Provisions have been made for setting up of special Courts and 26 States/UTs have set up designated special Courts for trial of offences under the Act.