NEW DELHI, Mar 10: Amidst alleged reports of spurious and adulterated drugs flooding the market, the Government has developed a “track and trace” software for authentication of drugs manufactured in India, Rajya Sabha was told today.
“Track and Trace software has been developed for authentication of drugs manufactured in India,” Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply.
He said that fake drugs or counterfeit drugs have not been defined under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules.
However, he said that reports which are largely “unsubstantiated” has been appearing in media about the extent of spurious or adulterated drugs from time to time.
“The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 provides stringent penalties for manufacture of spurious and adulterated drugs. Certain offences have also been made cognizable and non-bailable.
“The inspectorate staff of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization also keeps a vigil and draws samples of drugs for test and analysis to monitor the quality of drugs in the country,” Nadda said.
As per reports, Government plans to launch the software which will involve medicine strips having a unique code for authentication. The code will provide details of the product, including that of the manufacturer.
Health Ministry sources said there is a mechanism already existing for drugs which are being exported and that is why the need for a similar mechanism for domestic drugs was also needed.
An official source said that through this mechanism, once the customer gets the medicine strip in the hand, he would find a Unique Identification Number called the barcode. Once he types the number on the computer, it will check the database and flash on screen whether the drug is authenticated or spurious.
One of the problems which the Ministry is facing is the large number pharmaceutical units in India. While big companies would not have a problem with installing the barcode machine, it is the small companies who cannot afford it, official sources said. (PTI)
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