Over the years, the issues regarding drug safety have dominated public discussion for quite some time across the country including in Jammu and Kashmir. Precisely, the discussions centered on spurious drugs having harmful side-effects and that it can even kill a person. However, of late, the issue has not hogged headlines or public discussions but it does not mean the issue has disappeared or problems associated with it have been perpetually addressed. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act 2008, any drug is deemed to be adulterated or spurious when used by any person for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of any disease or disorder is likely to cause his death or is likely to cause such harm on his body.
A Parliamentary Committee had strongly recommended that the government take adequate measures to considerably increase the number of samples of drugs to be tested so as to instill fear in those who indulge in sale and distribution of spurious or non-standard quality drugs. The government must work seriously when it is bound by law. The doctors shall also not commit the crime of promoting drugs that can kill or harm the patient.
In this context, a law promising safer drugs is expected to come up for consideration in Parliament’s Monsoon Session beginning July 20.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 with the objective of ensuring high regulatory standards in the manufacture, sale, import and export of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
India’s $41 billion pharmaceutical industry is one the largest in the world and has for years helped provide cheaper alternatives to Western products, especially to poor and developing nations.
But the recent cough syrup-related deaths and at least one other instance of an Indiamade eye drop being linked to three deaths in the United States, has cast a shadow on the industry’s image.
India has made tests mandatory for cough syrup exports since last month. Companies that manufactured the syrups linked to deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan have denied any wrongdoing
Given the alarming regularity with which spurious drugs made by some firms are harming unsuspecting patients, the Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, must be vigorously brainstormed by the lawmakers to plug the gaps in the pharmaceutical ecosystem.
The government also needs to keep a check if there are companies operating in J&K which are distributing and selling medicines without any registration, thereby making masses vulnerable and breaking laws in broad daylight.