The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has notified the drugs inspectors posted in the district headquarters, as Sales Licensing and Enforcement Authorities for the entire district. The decision is based on the recommendations on this made by the State Drugs Inspectors Association and the director general, Drugs and Copyright, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.

Uday Bhaskar, All India Drugs Control Officers Confederation (AIDCOC), told Pharmabiz that this move would bring in decentralisation and bring together consumers, chemists closer to the drugs inspectors enabling better regulations at district levels. AIDCOC has been striving for such an accomplishment for several years.

The Drugs Inspectors Association of AP, an affiliate of AIDCOC, made a representation on February 16, 2004 to the Government for up gradation of district offices of drugs inspectors as assistant directors without financial implications to the Government.

Later, the director general, drugs and copyright, drugs control administration, Andhra Pradesh recommended for issuing orders notifying all the drugs inspectors posted in the District Headquarters as Sales Licensing and Enforcement Authorities, on March 1, 2005.

Under rule 59 (1) of Part VI of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh has issued the notification in this direction.

Lack of promotional avenues and stagnation for more than 20 years in the appointed post was creating frustration and had a bearing on the performance of the drugs inspectors. And the issue was brought to the notice of the State health ministry on several occasions, informed the sources.