A recent initiative by the Delhi government uncovered that six companies were breaching the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules concerning anti-cancer medications, as stated by Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh. Legal actions have been taken against the offenders. Teams from the Drugs Control Department conducted inspections at 25 retail and wholesale outlets selling anti-cancer drugs in various key areas of the city, including those near major hospital clusters and pharmaceutical markets.
The inspections aimed to eliminate counterfeit or substandard medicines and covered regions like Laxmi Nagar, Yusuf Sarai, Green Park, Okhla Industrial Area, Paschim Vihar, Dwarka, and Rohini. Minister Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and high-quality medicines for the people of Delhi. In a statement, it was mentioned that 33 legal samples and 22 specimen samples of anti-cancer drugs were collected for thorough laboratory testing to verify their quality and compliance with standards.
Pankaj Kumar Singh highlighted the zero-tolerance policy of the Delhi government towards fake or substandard medicines, particularly those used in cancer treatment. He stressed the importance of continuous inspections, stringent enforcement, and regular monitoring to safeguard patients. The Minister underscored the critical nature of anti-cancer drugs as life-saving medications, where any compromise in quality could jeopardize patient safety. Surveillance of the drug supply chain has been intensified to ensure that hospitals, pharmacies, and patients receive only safe, effective, and compliant medicines.
Singh reiterated that such quality checks will be ongoing, with the government taking strict measures against any entity found violating drug safety regulations. Public and healthcare institutions have been urged to source medicines solely from licensed suppliers and promptly report any suspected irregularities to the Drugs Control Department.
