Kerala Shifts Drug Quality Checks from KMSCL to Drugs Control Department

The Kerala government has dismantled the quality control division of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) and transferred responsibility for certifying the drugs it purchases to the State Drugs Control department. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced the decision on Thursday.

The change follows findings that a substantial portion of medicines procured and distributed through the KMSCL in the past did not meet quality standards. Medicines worth crores of rupees were found to be substandard. The minister's office also cited complaints that allowing the KMSCL's own quality control division to inspect the medicines the corporation buys created significant scope for corruption.

The Health Minister intervened after it was pointed out that the existing quality-assurance system for medicines procured through the KMSCL needed to be strengthened urgently.

The Drugs Control department already possesses the legal authority, technical expertise and regulatory mandate required to ensure drug quality. In view of the department's staff shortage, the minister has approved the recruitment of personnel on a temporary contract basis so that the inspection system can function efficiently within set time frames.

Under the revised arrangement, all medicines procured through the KMSCL will be inspected by the Drugs Control department and subjected to the necessary quality checks before they are distributed to government hospitals and other institutions.

Mr. Muraleedharan said the decision was aimed at making drug quality inspection more transparent, and that he had written to the Principal Secretary (Health) flagging the issues.