The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved a collaborative research project involving Mathura based Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) and Natural Remedies, Bangalore to develop drugs against ectoparasites of goats and other animals. This is the first project that has been sanctioned by DST under the Drugs and Pharmaceutical Research Programme (DPRP) in the current year.

Of the total project estimate of Rs 50 lakh, DST is spending Rs 30 lakh. Natural Remedies, which is to chip in the rest, would be developing pilot plant facilities needed for the research. The company is to commercialise the outcome of the project. DST and the company have already handed over the first installment of funds to CIRG, it is learnt. The second year's share would be sanctioned after analyzing the progress of the collaborative research.

As part of the project, the scientists in CIRG will make use of the natural plant extracts that are commonly used against ectoparasites and try to develop veterinary drugs of proven clinical efficiency. The parasites are not only a nuisance to the animals but also act as vectors of several diseases. It is a common problem among animals across the country. With India having about 837.3 million livestock, there is an enormous scope for veterinary pharmaceutical research to cater to the needs of this huge population. This is the first veterinary research project to be sanctioned by DST under DPRP.

Interestingly, DST had been trying hard to convince the veterinary drug-manufacturing sector to come forward to establish collaborative research ventures. The DST also had intentions to set up a National Institute of Veterinary Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology meant to coordinate the R&D activities pertaining to veterinary pharmaceuticals.

According to DST sources, there are about 1500 veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country. While most of them are in the SSI sector, others are veterinary divisions of large Indian and multinational pharmaceutical companies. Most of these firms either import drugs for marketing or manufacture through imported technology but do not have research divisions for development of drugs. The DST decision to include veterinary drug research stemmed from the realization that most of the Indian companies have limited resources at their disposal and are not in a position to meet the international standards.

Availability of spurious and sub-standard veterinary drugs, lack of proper quality control regulations, increasing instances of drug-induced diseases and development of drug-resistant strains of organisms are all major issues that called for veterinary drug research programme.