Maharashtra buys eight drug quality detector machines, first state in India to do so

To keep a check on the quality of medicines given in the public health system, the Maharashtra government has bought eight drug quality detector machines. The technology is already in use in about 50 countries, but Maharashtra has become the first state in India to adopt it.

For now, one machine has been given to each region. It is hoped that this will improve monitoring of medicines supplied to government health centres. Speaking to the media at Arogya Bhavan on Monday, State Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar said a flying squad of two officials has been formed for each region. The squad will test medicines and send samples found to be adulterated to an NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) laboratory for further testing.

Abitkar said the machine will show a "Passed" signal for a medicine that meets the set standards, while any irregularity will bring up a "Failed" mark. Action will be initiated against manufacturers and sellers on that basis.

According to the minister, the machines can help test the quality of tablets, syrups and liquid medicines used in syringes. He said the technology will strengthen monitoring of drug quality in the state and help identify potentially substandard medicines. Each machine costs Rs 1.2 crore. In his words, Maharashtra is the first state in India to put into service these machines, called "Raman" after the great scientist C V Raman.

The health minister also said that 1,400 doctors, including 600 specialists, will be appointed across Maharashtra on November 4. In addition, 12,000 day care centres will be started across the state, especially in rural areas. Abitkar said efforts are also under way to start OPD and IPD services in public sector undertakings.