The Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration (APDCA), in its effort to provide efficient, convenient and transparent services to the pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies, is planning to network the drug control department with manufacturing units and retail outlets through a Drugs Control Information System (DCIS).

Revealing this to Pharmabiz, K Subbi Reddy, deputy director, APDCA and the mastermind behind the initiative, said, “The proposed DCIS will enable applicant / licensee to submit application through internet or e-Seva centres. DCA officials will process and issue the licenses and permissions electronically.”

As per the plan, the LAN at Hyderabad and four regional offices of the DCA are to be networked with the DCA. All the 49 drugs officers at peripherals will have access to the network through the internet, as they also will be provided with computers. The prototype software has already been tested and accepted.

All the chemists will register with this network through e-mail and they will be in contact with the drugs department for all matters relating to the implementation of Acts to prevent spurious and adulterated drugs moving in the market.

Reddy informed developing the entire network would cost over Rs 84.5 lakh. Of this, hardware would cost over Rs 59.5 lakh, software would cost Rs 20 lakh and training cost will be about Rs 5 lakh. DCA has requested the State Government to fund for implementing the project. By the end of March 2006, DCA expects the funds to be in place.

The Drugs department will also publish information on drugs in its website and empower officers and licensees with instant information. In addition, the licensees network will help DCA officers in withdrawing NSQ drugs and tackle spurious drugs effectively. The System will also help in streamlining the file processing system through file tracking.

Though the Hathi Committee recommended to have 235 drugs inspectors in APDCA, the department has only 50 drugs inspectors as of today. This web application may enable the department to meet the requirements of pharma industry in AP, which is growing at a pace of 17 per cent annually. The DCIS will create anywhere-anytime ‘virtual office’ by networking 34,000 licensed chemists and druggists in the state.

As a first step towards creating awareness about the benefits of implementation of DCIS, DCA is organizing a workshop in West Godavari (AP), where chemists will be trained.

Subbi Reddy has undergone four months training at IIM Ahmedabad this year. He is one among the 25 AP government officers who took training and the only one to represent APDCA. Having joined the drugs department in 1981, Subbi Reddy has been promoted as assistant director in 1999 and as deputy director on June 24, 2005.