The All India Drugs Control Officers' Confederation has awarded the "Life Time Achievement Award" to S W Deshpande, ex-president, AIDCOC and former joint commissioner, Maharashlra FDA. It was received through the hands of Kamal Midha, president FAPA and chief guest of the 58th IPC at Mumbai.

It was in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Drugs Control Administration (DCA) in India. It is also for in formation and strengthening of AIDCOC. The award, was instituted for the first time in 2006

Deshpande's excellence and contribution to the profession of pharmacy has been recognized through, the Central Indian Pharmacy and Research Association, Nagpur by presenting 'Pharma Excellence Award, 2005, 'K C Chaterjee Memorial Award, 2005' by Indian Pharmacy Graduates' Association at 57th IPC, Hyderabad. The "Life Time Achievement Award" by the Retail Dispensing and Chemists Association, Mumbai in July, 2006.

Deshpande has joined PDA, MS as a Drugs Inspector and rose to the position of Joint Commissioner. He has a flair for writing and has authored an exhaustive commentary on Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 and another commentary on Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.