Karnataka to Introduce Drug Recall Policy to Prevent Substandard Medicines
The Karnataka government is set to introduce a drug recall policy to prevent the supply of substandard and expired medicines to government healthcare institutions, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced in the Legislative Council on March 10.
The initiative comes in response to last year’s Ballari tragedy, where contaminated IV fluid (Ringer’s Lactate) allegedly caused multiple deaths.
Key measures under the new policy include:
✅ Mandatory inspections of drug manufacturers and suppliers bidding for government contracts.
✅ Laboratory and warehouse checks before procurement.
✅ Pre-distribution drug testing, replacing the current post-distribution testing system.
The state government has also sought support from the Union government and the Drug Controller General of India to ensure stringent quality control.
This policy aims to prevent medical tragedies, ensuring that only safe and high-quality medicines reach Karnataka’s healthcare institutions.
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