Thiruvananthapuram: Insufficient number of drugs controllers in the state is affecting the quality checking process, State Drugs Controller informed the government.

Only 47 inspectors are available in Kerala which sells medicines worth Rs 1,000 crore a month. They are also responsible for controlling the cosmetics products in the state. Less than 800 out of the 2.5 lakh medicines in Kerala are tested by the authorities.

Distributors from neighbouring states are now dealing directly with the retailers after GST was implemented in the sector. Only 13 medicines are collected for testing a month in Kerala.

Lack of vehicles and staff shortage are some of the major issues faced by the department. The number of inspectors remain the same for the last 20 years. A valid PSC list for the recruitment of drugs inspectors exists in the state.