The much awaited Central Drugs Authority of India (CDA (I)), stated to be formed in line with the US FDA would be ready within six months from now. The meeting was held to discuss relevant issues about the same and it was cleared by the cabinet. The issue to set up the CDA (I) had been pending for the last many years and the final decision to set it up had been taken on Thursday.

Speaking to press persons after presiding over the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Madras Medical Mission, Union Minister For Health and Family Welfare, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss said that there would be ten divisions to handle the segments including new drugs, biotechnology, pharmacovigilance, imports of pharmaceutical products, Quality Analysis, Indian Systems of Medicines, traditional medicines, international co-operation and patent of pharmaceutical production. The Drug Controller would be on the top most position in the body. He said that the building and other infrastructure facilities for the same were ready and the proposal had to go through the parliament.

Speaking to Pharmabiz about the proposed Vaccine Park, the Minister said that 200 acres of land was identified in Kancheepuram and it would become functional in near future. About the medicinal plant processing zones, the Minister said that it would be set up in Uttranchal, Kerala, Chattisgarh and one in Tamil Nadu. While the process in Uttranchal had already started, discussions for setting one in Tami Nadu was under discussion.

Anbumani earlier while speaking in the function said that there were plans to introduce an authoritative body to regulate the hospital sector. He said that the hospitals would have to get mandatory accreditation within a few years of setting up the centre and had to follow the Indian Public health standards. The Minister stated that rural posting for one year would be given to doctors after they finish their internship. This was as the part of the move to improve health care facilities in rural areas.

He said that the Government was trying to promote medicinal parks that would be the main centre for locally manufacturing medical equipments and diagnostic tools. This was mainly aimed at reducing the cost of patient care. He said that 90 per cent of the products manufactured from here would be for domestic use and not for export. One park is planned in Chengalpattu.

The Health Minister stated that he was taking action to reduce the health care costs in India. "With the medical tourism booming in India, the cost of treatment is also increasing. So we have been constantly telling the hospital authorities and those from the pharma sector to reduce the prices for the citizens of India," he said. Anbumani urged the need for public- private partnership in improving health care in the country.

Anbumani Ramadoss also presented the MMM Award for Excellence in Healthcare to Christian Medical College, Vellore. He then urged such Not For Profit hospitals to come together to fight against non-communicable diseases.

First President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, said that there was a need for his country to have links with hospitals such as MMM to provide better healthcare in Zambia. He also spoke on how AIDS had spread its harmful tentacles in his country and how they were trying to erase the stigma related to the disease.

Tamilnadu Health and Family Welfare Minister, K K S S R Ramachandran released a souvenir on the occasion. Also present on the occasion were vice president of MMM, Verghese Eapen, President of MMM, His Grace Yakob Mar Irenios and honorary secretary of MMM, K V George.