Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), (in-charge) Dr M Venkateswarulu, who was to retire on July 31, has got six months extension from today.

According to his office, the approval for his extension, based on the recommendation from the Health Ministry, came late last night and he attended duty today. He took over as the DCGI on September 2006, replacing Ashwini Kumar.

He was earlier the deputy drugs controller of India (west zone). Dr Venkateswarulu joined the drugs control department as a drugs inspector in 1974 and was heading the Western Region of the CDSCO for the past 13 years.

Dr Venkateswarulu, a native of Kovoor in Andhra Pradesh, had his degree, post graduation and doctorate in pharmaceutical science from the Walter University of Andhra Pradesh. He took his M.Pharm in 1969 and Ph.D in 2000.

A renowned regulatory expert and a known orator, Dr Venkateswarulu has made more than 250-300 presentations on Indian pharmaceutical industry in various national and international platforms, alone in the last five to six years. He was also among the major brains behind the policy initiatives like Revised Schedule M implementation, guidelines for medical devices and also represented various committees, which initiated policy changes related to pharmaceutical industry.