Maharashtra government introduces Rs 1.2 crore machines to check medicine quality

State Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar displays one of the machines on Monday. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

In a move aimed at strengthening medicine quality checks in the public healthcare system, the Maharashtra government has procured eight drug quality detector machines, becoming the first state in India to adopt the technology, which is already being used in around 50 countries.

One machine per region

As of now, one machine has been allocated to each region, with the equipment expected to improve the monitoring of medicines supplied to government-run healthcare facilities. "A flying squad of two officials for each region has been established to conduct tests and send adulterated samples to NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) for further testing. Medicines found to be suitable as per prescribed criteria will have a ‘passed' indication, while any error will be marked with a ‘failed' indication. Action will be initiated against manufacturers and sellers accordingly," said Abitkar, while addressing the media at Arogya Bhavan on Monday.

Experts on board

The minister informed that as many as 1400 doctors, including 600 specialists, will be appointed across Maharashtra on November 4. "Apart from this, 12,000 daycare centres will also be started across the state, especially in rural areas. Efforts are also underway to start OPD and IPD services at public sector enterprises," he added.

Assuring quality

Prakashrao Abitkar, state health minister
‘The machines can help assess the quality of medicines, including tablets, syrups, and liquid formulations used in syringes. The technology will strengthen the state's drug quality surveillance and help identify potentially substandard medicines. Each machine costs Rs 1.2 crore. We are the first state to make these machines named ‘Raman' - after the great scientist C V Raman - operational in India.'