‘Quacks under check in Madurai, only 2 held in 2019’

Madurai: Health department officials in Madurai on Saturday said that the health officials were constantly monitoring the clinics and hospitals to weed out any quacks in the region. The officials said that only two quacks were arrested in Madurai last year and that the situation was under control in Madurai district.

“Only three major raids were conducted last year, namely at Alanganallur, Thirumangalam and Peraiyur. Out of the three raids, only two quacks were arrested. There were complaints from Alanganallur that a person was administering injections at a pharmacy after which drug inspectors investigated,” said a source from the health department. The most recent case was the arrest of a 52-year-old quack in Peraiyur who was running a clinic in Saptur.

Local drug inspectors are also carrying out periodical checks on pharmacies in the district for possession of poor quality medicines, unlawful administration of abortion pills etc., based on complaints and tips, said an official from the office of the Assistant Director of Drugs Control, Madurai.

It has been widely reported that quacks are a major concern in Tamil Nadu and that the punishments in law are not severe enough to deter their growth. It was reported earlier this year that at least 1500 quacks have been booked in the state over the last 11 years.