Karnataka Drugs Controller, Dr BR Jagashetty, has bagged the award for excellence in pharmacy profession instituted under the Pharmacy Leadership 2010. Dr Jagashetty received the award during the 3rd Annual Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit held between June 25 and 26, 2010 at Mumbai. The two-day pharma summit was organized by the Pharma Leaders & Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
He was short-listed for the award based on his efforts to transform the Karnataka drugs control department which he took over from May 1, 2008. Ever since he took over the department, he has been instrumental in streamlining process to create clarity and efficiency in the areas of issuing of licenses to pharmacy outlets and drug production plants. In addition, he has been strongly advocating the concept of Good Distribution Practices (GDP) to bring in transparency in the movement of medicines in the state. He has also been insisting on the need for regular and prompt recall of expiry dated drugs and those medicines declared not-of-standard quality by pharma companies. Another effort by him is to ensure the computerization of the department which will allow instant updates.
The jury identified the capabilities of the winner on parameters like efforts which have led to progress of the organization to build a robust healthcare support system.