Not of standard quality

The news story goes like this: in the last six months, J&K Drug Control Organisation found 42 drug samples that didn’t match the necessary standards of quality. Chances are that the concerned agency may have skipped many such drugs that can be bracketed as Not of Standards Quality (NSQ). This, because of a simple reason. Hundred percent coverage of the market is not possible, and checking the market every single minute is beyond the capacity of any organisation. That means the number of drugs found below standard is only indicative.

Based on this statistical mark, it is incumbent on the department to build on its case of quality control and take necessary steps. It doesn’t suffice that the teams from the concerned agency occasionally visit the suppliers and retailers. It needs much more than that.

We have seen in the past that sub standard drugs, in fact fake drugs, have been found in the market. Just recently we have seen a cough syrup resulting in loss of lives. It entails that we should have a comprehensive mechanism to hunt down those who indulge in manufacturing, promoting and selling sub standard drugs. Anyone found involved should get an exemplary punishment so that others take heed.

It is a matter of health, and if we compromise on this it can lead to severe implications. Already we are seeing a spike in many ailments, no wonder that the sub standard drugs are contributing to it in a significant way. So it needs a keen followup, and a subsequent clean up. Unless the manufactures of such drugs are not severely penalised, others will not stop. If the manufactures are located outside J&K, there is a need for government to government cooperation on this. A manufacturer anywhere in India is a threat to life for the lives everywhere in the country. And the lives of people cannot be put to such a peril. It is incumbent on the concerned agency to create collaboration with its counterparts in other states of India and be a part of a unified defence against any such assault on the people’s health.