Minister of Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Satya Kumar Yadav on Friday (June 19, 2026) directed officials to strengthen surveillance mechanisms and take stringent action against the circulation of substandard medicines in the State.

Speaking after inaugurating the newly upgraded State Drug Testing Laboratory and the Drug Control Administration headquarters in Vijayawada, the Minister emphasised that the progress achieved over the past two years should not lead to complacency and warned that negligence in safeguarding public health would not be tolerated.

He said the modernised laboratory would play a crucial role in identifying poor-quality life-saving medicines at an early stage and preventing their sale in the market.

Highlighting the government’s efforts, Mr. Satya Kumar said that the number of drug samples collected and tested from medical shops and manufacturing units had significantly increased during the coalition government’s tenure. Before 2024, only around 4,000 samples were tested annually. Following the government’s intervention, testing capacity was enhanced, and the upgraded Vijayawada laboratory can now examine up to 13,000 samples annually. He said additional staff requirements had been identified and recruitment proposals were being taken up in consultation with the Finance Department.

The Minister noted that strengthened monitoring has helped reduce the incidence of substandard medicines from 2.13 % to 1.02 %. While appreciating officials for this improvement, he stressed that the percentage must be reduced further. He also instructed authorities to work towards obtaining NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation for the State-level laboratory.

Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Satya Kumar alleged that drug-testing infrastructure and public health facilities were neglected for several years. He said although the Centre had sanctioned funds worth ₹22.04 crore under a 60:40 cost-sharing arrangement, only limited expenditure was incurred during the previous administration. In contrast, the coalition government spent ₹11.3 crore over the past two years to complete the laboratory and headquarters facilities. New drug-testing laboratories had also been established in Visakhapatnam and Kurnool, he added.

The Minister announced that the Drug Control Administration would be integrated with the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) to strengthen testing of medicines, food products, and consumer goods. Following concerns over food adulteration incidents, including the adulterated ghee controversy, a State-level laboratory had already been launched in Tirumala, while two additional laboratories were being planned through IPM, he added.

Health Secretary and Director General of Drug Control Administration Suresh Kumar urged officials to ensure transparent, technology-driven operations, strengthen sample collection mechanisms and avoid unnecessary harassment of businesses while enforcing regulations.