Kerala is embracing digital technology to completely curb the unauthorized sale and misuse of antibiotics and narcotic drugs in the state. In a major step toward curbing the unauthorized sale and misuse of antibiotics and narcotic drugs, Kerala’s Drugs Control Department is developing a web-based digital application named “Kompounder.”
This real-time monitoring tool is set to revolutionize how pharmacies, super stockists, and wholesale drug dealers across the state manage and dispense antibiotics and narcotic drugs.
The move comes in response to rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance and the illegal distribution of controlled substances, which pose serious threats to public health. According to officials, the Drugs Control Department has tasked Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) with selecting a startup to develop the platform, which aims to serve as a comprehensive track-and-trace solution, enhancing regulatory oversight and enforcing accountability among drug retailers.
According to details available from the government, the digital platform will have real-time stock and sale monitoring functionality, allowing drug inspectors and officials to keep a close watch on the movement of antibiotics and narcotics from super stockists to medical shops, ensuring no drug is dispensed without proper documentation and authorization.
“Only registered pharmacists will be permitted to operate the system, using Aadhaar-linked OTP authentication. The application will capture complete transaction details, including patient information, prescribing doctor, and updated stock balance, with provisions for generating daily and monthly usage reports,” said an official document. Automatic alerts will be triggered if drug usage exceeds set limits or if pharmacies fail to update inventory data. These alerts will allow drug inspectors to take prompt action, including initiating surprise inspections or prosecutions.
Pharmacists must install Kompounder on their systems and register with location details and Aadhaar credentials. The system supports secure data storage, GPS tagging for location validation, billing integration for seamless documentation, and credential verification of pharmacists to ensure only qualified professionals handle sensitive medications.
“Through the Kompounder platform, the Drugs Control Department seeks to curb the black-market trade in prescription drugs and enforce ethical pharmacy practices. It will act as a strong deterrent against illegal sales and enhance Kerala’s reputation for responsible drug regulation,” said a senior officer of the Drugs Control Department.
