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.