In a startling revelation, Rajasthan’s ambitious Free Medicine Scheme has come under fire after it was discovered that 795 samples of life-saving drugs, including those for cancer, heart diseases, and antibiotics, failed quality tests over the past five and a half years. The findings expose critical lapses in ensuring medicine quality, raising concerns about patient safety and regulatory effectiveness.Key Findings:
High Failure Rates: From 2019 to June 2024, 795 drug samples failed quality checks. These included crucial medications for cancer, blood disorders, heart diseases, and antibiotics.
Delayed Action: Only 12% of failed cases saw legal action, with minimal license suspensions for manufacturers and distributors.
Major Offenders: Most failed samples originated from manufacturing hubs like Baddi (42%) in Himachal Pradesh, followed by Uttarakhand (134 samples), Rajasthan (91 samples), and Delhi-NCR (27 samples).
The Free Medicine Scheme’s Hidden Flaws:
Slow Testing Process: By the time testing reports are finalized (approximately one month), substandard drugs are already distributed and consumed. A single batch of medicine can consist of up to 1 lakh tablets, amplifying the impact of poor-quality drugs.
No Sampling of Expensive Drugs: Costly cancer medicines and injections, priced between ₹1-3 lakh, are rarely sampled due to high upfront testing costs.
Negligible Accountability: Despite monthly failures in drug quality, regulatory authorities have shown a lack of stringent enforcement, with only a fraction of cases seeing follow-up action.
Statements from Officials:
Neha Giri, MD, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL): “All medicines supplied by RMSCL undergo testing, and only approved drugs are sent to hospitals. If a drug fails, it is removed from use, and the stock is rejected. Financial and legal actions are initiated as per tender conditions.”
Data Highlights: Failed drug samples also included 51 from Gujarat and 154 from other states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra, indicating widespread issues beyond Rajasthan.
Implications for Pharmacists and Healthcare Providers:
Double-Check Supplies: Pharmacists must verify the quality and sourcing of medicines, especially those supplied under government schemes.
Be Vigilant: Track notifications about failed drugs to ensure such batches are not dispensed to patients.
Advocate for Better Practices: Push for stricter quality control measures and swifter testing processes to protect public health.
This report sheds light on the urgent need for a robust framework to address quality lapses and ensure accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain, especially for government-funded initiatives.