Maharashtra Introduces ₹1.2 Crore Raman Machines to Strengthen Medicine Quality Checks Across State

Maharashtra has introduced advanced drug quality testing technology to improve medicine safety in government healthcare facilities. The state has procured eight Raman drug quality detector machines, each costing ₹1.2 crore, to help identify potentially substandard medicines and strengthen public health services.

With this initiative, Maharashtra becomes the first state in India to bring these machines into operation in the public healthcare sector. The technology is already being used in around 50 countries.

Eight Raman Machines to Improve Medicine Testing in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has allocated one machine to each region to strengthen the monitoring of medicines supplied to public hospitals and other government-run healthcare facilities.

The machines are designed to assess the quality of different pharmaceutical products, including tablets, syrups, and liquid formulations used in syringes. The technology is expected to help officials identify medicines that may not meet the required quality standards.

The government aims to ensure that medicines procured for public healthcare facilities undergo quality checks, improving safety and strengthening public confidence in government healthcare services.

Regional Flying Squads to Identify Substandard Medicines

To support the new testing system, the state has established regional flying squads comprising two officials in each region. These teams will conduct medicine quality checks and send suspected adulterated samples to laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for further examination.

According to State Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar, medicines that meet the prescribed criteria will receive a “passed” indication, while those that do not meet the required standards will be marked as “failed.”

The government will initiate appropriate action against manufacturers and sellers if medicines are found to be substandard or adulterated.

Maharashtra Expands Healthcare Services With New Doctor Appointments

Alongside the medicine quality initiative, the state government is planning to strengthen healthcare delivery by appointing around 1,400 doctors, including 600 specialists, across Maharashtra on November 4, as announced by the health minister.

The government also plans to establish 12,000 daycare centers across the state, with a particular focus on rural areas. Efforts are underway to introduce outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) services at public sector enterprises.

These measures are aimed at improving access to healthcare, addressing staffing needs, and expanding medical services for people across urban and rural Maharashtra.

Raman Technology to Strengthen Public Health and Medicine Safety

Named after renowned Indian scientist C. V. Raman, the new drug quality detector machines represent a major step in Maharashtra’s efforts to improve medicine surveillance.

With an investment of ₹1.2 crore per machine, the initiative is designed to help authorities identify potentially poor-quality medicines more efficiently and take timely action when required.

The combination of advanced testing equipment, regional inspection teams, and expanded healthcare services is expected to support stronger medicine quality monitoring across the state and improve the overall delivery of public healthcare.

As Maharashtra expands the use of this technology, the initiative could also provide a model for strengthening medicine safety checks in other parts of India.