Danger lurks in low prices: Counterfeiters of pharmaceutical market reaping money

KOZHIKODE: The MRP of injectable erythropoietin given to dialysis patients is around Rs 1000, but it is available for Rs 150! The MRP of monoclonal antibody drugs such as Rituximab and Trastuzumab used for cancer treatment is Rs 35,000. It is available for Rs 7,500. Tigecycline, which costs Rs 4,000, is available for Rs 200.

Many of the medicines sold in the market at huge discounts are of poor quality. Doctors and medical representatives say that these are manufactured in North Indian states by adulteration and violating standards. There are medical shops that offer discounts of 20 to 40 percent and more on some medicines. The inspection conducted by the Drug Control Department had recovered fake medicines from many districts. The fake medicines reach the distributors at a much lower price than the maximum selling price. Some medicines are also available to patients directly.

Medicines should reach medical shops and hospitals from company depots through distributors, but that is not the case in Kerala. Legal loopholes and government policies that encourage online drug trading are helping counterfeiters. The central and state governments are not stopping counterfeiters, even though children died in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after consuming cough syrup months ago. The shortage of drug control inspectors is leading to a decrease in inspections in the state.

Drug inspectors in Kerala

Required....150

Currently....47