Maharashtra Fights Fake Drugs With New Tech

Maharashtra's public health department is set to implement a new strategy to ensure medicine quality by using counterfeit drug-detection devices for initial screening at state-run healthcare facilities. This initiative marks the first time such technology will be deployed for this purpose. The aim is to enhance the surveillance of medicine quality and swiftly identify suspected counterfeit or substandard drugs.

Independent teams will visit healthcare institutions, from primary health centers to district hospitals, across the state's eight divisions to screen existing medicine stock. A dedicated team of pharmacists will be trained to operate the new devices. This initial phase, encompassing training and primary screening, is projected to be completed within three months. These preliminary findings will guide further detailed laboratory testing for suspect medicines.