Spurious drugs: up to Rs 25 lakh reward for informers,says Azad

Azad said besides substantial rewards,even the jobs of the informers would be protected. Under the provision,the maximum penalty has been enhanced to life imprisonment for manufacturing and marketing spurious drugs,while fine has been increased to Rs 10 lakh or three times the value of the spurious drugs confiscated,whichever is more,Azad said.

“Some offences have been made cognizable and non-bailable and a provision for setting up special designated courts for speedy trial has been incorporated. Also,there is a provision for awarding compensation to the relatives of the victim,” he said.

Azad was speaking at a ceremony organised to unveil the first modern zonal Food and Drug Administration Bhavan here. “The west zone office of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is a single stop regulatory window for pharmaceutical companies working under Drug Controller General (India) and has been built at a cost of Rs 11 crore,” he said.

Since it is located at Mumbai Central,it would be easier to approach,he said. Earlier,the zonal FDA office and lab were located at Antop Hill near Sion.

“The upgraded laboratories would certainly be of immense use to the manufacturers,importers and exporters of drugs and food articles in ensuring that only quality medicines and food articles reach the consumers both within the country and across the world,” Azad said.

The Health Ministry is also planning to set up similar zonal and sub-zonal centres in 15 locations in the country including Hyderabad,Chandigarh,Sikkim,Indore and Goa,he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan asked leaders of pharma industries to invest in the state especially in Vidarbha region to make it more industrialised as well as increase employment.