Drug Inspector shortage hits medicine quality checks in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: The shortage of drug inspectors is badly affecting the quality checking of medicines. The state needs 150 drug inspectors, but there are only 47. Of these, seven have retired, and their replacements are still in training. No new posts are being created.

The staffing pattern from 1999 is still being followed. In the last 25 years, the number of medical shops has increased a lot. According to the 2003 Dr. R.A. Mashelkar Committee report, there should be one drug inspector for every 200 medical shops. In Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Idukki districts, there is only one inspector each. In many districts, including Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Palakkad, there are no vehicles for inspectors.

Inspectors are responsible for checking medical shops, collecting samples, and taking action if irregularities are found in tests. In addition to travel and office work, they also have to attend state- and district-level narcotic coordination meetings and child rights protection committee meetings. They must also attend Malayalam language and Right to Information (RTI) meetings.

Labs are increasing
The government is increasing the number of analytical labs and appointing analysts. Earlier, there was only one lab in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, labs were started in Konni, Kochi, and Thrissur.

Samples to be collected (per inspector, per month):

• Statutory: 13
• Survey: 10
• Medical shops now: 30,000
• 25 years ago: 10,000