Srinagar: There is only one government drug testing laboratory which is utterly ill-equipped, understaffed and poorly funded, said Civil Society Forum Kashmir (H).
“Few years back when spurious drug scam had surfaced Drugs Controller General of India himself had announced that an additional state-of-art drug testing laboratory will be established to cater to the demands of drug analysis of the valley besides upgrading the existing drug testing laboratories of the state but there has been no breakthrough in that direction till date,” spokesman CSFK(H) said in a statement issued to press.
According to spokesman CSFK(H) even through maiden drug policy of the Jammu and Kashmir was approved by government in 2012 however it has not been implemented.
“Drug procurement procedure of the government is still in doldrums and the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation that was announced a couple of years back is still on papers, a complete non-starter, a damp squib. Necessary augmentation of the Drug and Food Control Organization of J&K has still not been undertaken despite repeated promises to that extent made by none less than the Drugs Controller General of India himself,” Spokesman CSFK(H) said.
Urging government to take immediate measures towards redressed of the grievances of common consumers of medicines, ‘implement drug policy in toto, streamline drug procurement mechanism, make JK Medical Supplies Corporation vibrant and active, augment drug testing facilities of the state, make necessary amendments in the J&K Pharmacy Act, 2011’.
“Licences should be issued only to diploma or degree holders in Pharmacy, employ trained and qualified pharmacists only in the hospitals, increase manpower and funding of the Drug and Food Control Organization besides ensuring sale and supply of medicines in accordance with legal provisions and promote rational use of medicines in the society,” CSFK(H) spokesman said.
