Food Safety Commissioner K. Srinivas says the aim of geo-tagging is to accurately map medical stores and ensure uniformity of monitoring. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
The ongoing geo-tagging of pharmacies by the Karnataka Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sparked controversy with the Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association (BDCDA) over alleged pressure on officials and retailers. However, the FDA argued that the exercise would simplify oversight and improve compliance.
Represented by Food Safety Commissioner K Srinivas, identified by Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, the association said morale within the department has been affected and routine regulatory work is suffering.
BDCDA President B. Thirunavukkarasu said that the enforcement officers have been asked to meet the geo-tagging targets despite shortage of personnel, with the delay considered as non-performance.
Whose responsibility?
The association claimed that efforts to raise public awareness of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance were increasingly led by the police. While appreciating these initiatives, she said the responsibility lies primarily with the regulator and requires stronger institutional ownership.
To redress the balance, the BDCDA proposed setting up an honorary committee of retired drug controllers and senior officers to guide implementation and training. She also referred to job vacancies that she claimed slowed inspections, sampling and prosecutions, making it difficult to expect universal compliance.
The delegation further called for the bifurcation of the Food and Drug Administration and suggested that enforcement responsibilities could be aligned with a police-led framework for better oversight and response. In the interest of public health and effective regulation, wider consultation is necessary, she said.
For streamlining
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Srinivas said the aim of geo-tagging is to accurately map medical stores and ensure uniformity of monitoring. The exercise would affect nearly 34,000 licensed units across the state.
“This is the first step. After that, we will monitor whether the stores operate in the presence of a qualified person. A number of stores do not have a qualified pharmacist on the premises, which is mandatory. We have already held consultations with the associations to clarify matters on the ground,” he said.
Verified coordinates
While store information may be available elsewhere, the department required verified coordinates. Capturing latitude and longitude would help create a single official database. Many of the licenses were issued decades ago and the locations may have changed over time or been transferred to another person, the commissioner said.
He said the initiative would strengthen oversight, improve service delivery and benefit both regulators and licensees.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 22:25 IST