Andhra Pradesh Drug Control Administration (APDCA) has submitted a Rs 25 lakh proposal before the state government for the computerisation of its activities. The proposal was made in response to the government initiative to review the entire computerisation programmes in the state medical sector. The DCA is also to get its share in the total budgetary allocation for the purpose.

As per the DCA proposal, the amount will be utilised for computerising all its regional joint directors' offices in the state. The offices at Kadappa, Vijayawada, Warangal, Rajamundry and the two regional offices attached to the head office will be interlinked for efficient networking and effective functioning.

Confirming this to Pharmabiz.com, Alok Srivastava, I G, DCA said that the government is expected to issue an order within a month. He clarified that the state government programme will not come in between the proposed DCGI plans to fund nation-wide computerised networking of drug regulatory authorities. "We will never say no to any such programme. On the other hand, our facilities could be linked with the DCGI network as and when it gets materialised", he said.

The DCA had recently associated with the AP Druggists and Chemists Association and accepted a computer from the association for the issue of trade licenses. The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (OPM) has also offered similar cooperation.

Srivastava said that the government policy of Public Private Participation (PPP) is intended to pool in all resources, both external and internal, and come out with better results.

The department, while responding to the government instructions for speedy disposal of files, had pointed out that computerisation was the way by which the practice of manual processing of license applications can be avoided.