It has been about a month after reports confirmed that substandard anti-Filariasis drugs were supplied in Raipur and Mahasamund districts. However the sluggish working of health department was once again evident in the case after quality check reports of drug supplied in other districts could not be obtained by the health department.
Notably a drug company based in Haridwar, Uttarakhand in the recent past had supplied anti-Filariasis drugs for free distribution in State. It was found that quality of medicine sent in Raipur and Mahasamund district was of substandard. later health department had directed rest of the districts to sent reports of supplied drug. The Malaria Department of Raipur district was supplied with 80lakh (DEC) tablets. These tablets were so brittle in nature that it would reduce to the powder with the slightest touch of the fingers.
According to officers of Health department samples of the aforementioned medicines have been sent for examination.
The first consignment of some 35000 tablets has been sent to Mahasamund and total 5 lakhs tablets would have to be sent to the same destination by another 4-5 consignments. Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation which has tested the samples of medicine also claimed that these tablets were of substandard quality. That is the reason for banning distribution of this drug.
State Malaria program officer Dr V Jaiprakash also confirmed that that the same drug supplied to Raipur after Mahasamud were of the substandard quality. He said that these medicine would be sent back to the concerning company but rest of the reports of the samples sent from various districts is awaited, before resorting to any move by the Government, he added.
Dr Jaiprakash said that on the basis of the reports received from samples of the two districts, a notice has been slapped to the drug Company.