The All India Drug Control Officers Confederation (AIDCOC) has raised serious concerns about the role of high-discount pharmacies in the spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines in West Bengal. The national regulatory body has directed state officials to intensify surveillance on pharmacies offering unusually steep discounts, citing these practices as a key factor behind the influx of fake drugs.

Key Highlights
Discount Pharmacies Under Scrutiny

• AIDCOC has asked its West Bengal branch to increase vigilance among retailers and wholesalers, especially those providing large discounts on MRPs.

• Discount pharmacies are identified as a major channel through which counterfeit and substandard medicines enter the supply chain.

Inter-State Coordination for Drug Safety

• AIDCOC proposes coordinated efforts among drug control officers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, and West Bengal to intercept the transit of falsified medicines.

• The confederation emphasizes the need for intelligence sharing and tracking of suspicious manufacturing units across states.

Combating Grey Market Threats

• AIDCOC aims to enhance regulatory officers’ capabilities to detect drugs marketed by unauthorized grey-market companies.

• The body advocates for stringent actions against grey marketers and urges greater inter-agency cooperation to prevent illegal distribution.

Statements from Leaders or Officials

• Dr R P Choudhury, President, AIDCOC:

“High discounts on medicine prices are a major factor in the proliferation of fake drugs. We’ve cautioned drug regulatory officers in West Bengal to scrutinize discount pharmacies closely.”
 On unethical conduct, he added, “Chances of unholy ties between regulators and marketers are zero. AIDCOC upholds professional integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability.”

•  On intelligence-led enforcement:

“Given the vastness of India’s pharmaceutical landscape, we need robust inter-state information sharing and intelligence gathering to curb suspicious manufacturing activities. Strengthening drug testing infrastructure and consistent law enforcement across states is vital.”AIDCOC’s proactive stance calls for state governments to upgrade drug testing labs, enforce drug laws uniformly, and provide regular training for regulatory officers. As concerns about counterfeit drug production in regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra arise, AIDCOC stresses that these claims require formal investigation through verified channels. The confederation remains committed to fortifying India’s pharmaceutical safety net through transparency, inter-state collaboration, and regulatory integrity.