Jammu and Kashmir will soon have a "new drug policy" which will focus on checking the menace of spurious drugs and bringing transparency in the procurement system.

"The new drug policy will soon be put in place in J&K. The document is almost final but due to some technicalities, it will take some more time before it is approved," minister for health and family welfare Sham Lal Sharma said while addressing the officers of Drugs and Food Control Organisation and members of J&K Chemists and Druggists Association today.

With the formulation of new drug policy in the state, there would be check on spurious drugs and transparency in the procurement system, he said.

Sharma said that the government is contemplating launching audit of prescriptions issued by doctors.

Terming the sale of spurious drugs as a "great crime" against mankind, he sought the people's support to curb the menace.

The minister stressed on close coordination between the traders and the department to achieve better results. He said that the government will resolve all outstanding issues of the traders, which include simplification of issuance and renewal of drug licences and regulating the system of establishing new chemist shops.

Sharma said that government has already initiated measures to strengthen the functioning of Drugs and Food Control Organisation which done a commendable job in the last two years.

Maintaining that all issues will be taken up in an phased manner, he asked the officers to ensure people friendly approach and maintain credibility of the institution.