Karnataka's Groundbreaking Portal Launch to Track Substandard Drugs

Karnataka is taking a significant leap in healthcare safety with the launch of a new portal designed to monitor and regulate Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao unveiled the portal to strengthen surveillance and enhance accountability within the pharmaceutical sector.

Developed by the Food Safety and Drug Administration department, the portal provides real-time tracking of NSQ drug batches available with stockists and retailers. If a batch is flagged as substandard, its sale is automatically blocked, preventing further distribution. This initiative targets improved transparency and public safety by halting the sales of substandard drugs.

The portal is integrated with databases of wholesalers and stockists across Karnataka. Upon identification of substandard drugs, notifications are sent instantly to halt further sales. Plans are underway to extend this system to 45,000 retailers and pharmacists, solidifying Karnataka's pioneering role in ensuring drug safety and regulatory compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)