Bangalore: The State Drug Control Department is facing severe shortage of drug inspectors and this has badly hit drug monitoring operations in the state. The department has only 49 drug inspectors whereas there about 28,000 medical stores, 247 drug manufacturing units, 179 blood banks, 157 blood storage units and 17 approved drug testing laboratories in the state.
State Drug Controller Raghuram Bhandary says, “When we analyse the number of drug stores, blood banks and the drug manufacturing units across the State, the number of drug inspectors we have is not enough. We require at least 162 drug inspectors. Of the 62 sanctioned posts of drug inspectors we just have 49.”
Bhandary pointed out that the Drug Control Department has over 500 cases pending in several courts across the State. Due to the lack of inspectors we are not able to conduct continuous monitoring and this has been the case for the past 5-6 years, he added.
“However, the department had sent a proposal regarding the requirement and the State Government has considered sanctioning few drug inspectors and deputy drug inspectors. We are yet to receive the confirmation. This shortage is prevalent across the country and Karnataka is better off,” Bhandary said.
It may be recalled that the issue of pharmacies and medical stores flouting norms was highlighted last week during the ‘Continuous education programme’ organised by Karnataka Drug Control Department Enforcement Officers Association in city. Health Minister U.T Khader, who was also present, had reiterated that erring pharmacies should be closed and their licences cancelled.
