In a significant move to safeguard public health, the Maharashtra government has approved a substantial budget for advanced technology aimed at weeding out counterfeit and substandard medicines from its public healthcare system.
Major Investment to Combat Fake Medicines
The state administration, on Wednesday, sanctioned a sum of ₹9.6 crore for the procurement of eight sophisticated detection devices. This initiative is designed to strengthen the scrutiny of pharmaceutical quality and protect patients in government-run health facilities from the dangers of spurious drugs.
Strategic Deployment Across State Divisions
The eight devices will be strategically installed across key administrative divisions to ensure widespread coverage. The identified locations for installation are:
- Thane
- Pune
- Kolhapur
- Nashik
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Akola
- Latur
- Nagpur
Each division will receive one complete unit, enabling rapid on-site testing of the quality and chemical composition of medicines supplied to government hospitals and clinics.
Advanced Technology for Rapid Screening
The core of this anti-counterfeiting drive is the acquisition of Handheld Raman Analysers, equipped with specialized software and updated digital libraries. These portable devices allow for quick, non-destructive analysis of drug samples. The government resolution (GR) specified that the cost of each complete kit is ₹1.2 crore.
The procurement will follow a dual-track process. The main analyser units will be acquired through a single-source method, while other supporting items will be purchased via the standard tender process to ensure transparency and value.
Funding and Implementation Authority
The entire project cost of ₹9.6 crore will be covered from the state's 2025-26 budget under the medical procurement head. The responsibility for the end-to-end execution of this project has been entrusted to the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority.
This authority will handle all stages, including the purchase, technical inspection, storage, distribution, and ensuring the proper utilization of the devices across the designated divisions. This centralized oversight is expected to streamline the process and guarantee effective implementation.
Implications for Public Health Security
This investment marks a proactive step by the Maharashtra government to fortify its drug regulatory framework at the point of consumption. The deployment of handheld Raman analysers in regional hubs will significantly reduce the time required for quality checks, allowing for faster interception of fake or substandard drugs before they reach patients.
By enhancing surveillance capabilities in public hospitals, the state aims to build greater trust in its healthcare system and ensure that citizens receive only genuine, quality-assured medications, thereby directly improving patient safety and treatment outcomes.
