New Delhi, Aug 22: In a bid to end the menace of spurious drugs, government would soon amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. "The Drugs and Cosmetics Act would be amended soon to enable the Central and state governments to designate special courts for speedy trial of spurious drug cases," Swaraj told a consultative committee meeting.

Pointing out that the government was determined to put an end to the menace of spurious drugs, Swaraj said an expert committee set up under chairmanship of Dr R A Mashelkar had proposed death penalty for those indulging in sale and manufacture of spurious drugs. The Mashelkar committee also recommended offences related to spurious drugs should be cognizable and non-bailable, an official release said quoting Swaraj.

The members attending the meet called for strengthening enforcement at the state government level by appointing additional technical staff to detect spurious drugs effectively, it said.

They also sought special efforts in rural areas where quacks endanger the lives of the people, it added. Bureau Report