Dr M Venkateswarulu, deputy drugs controller of India (west zone), has taken charge as the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), (in-charge) on September 1 in New Delhi.

He replaces Ashwini Kumar, who retired on Wednesday, last week. Dr M 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 subject expert and a known orator, Dr.Venkateswarulu has made more than 250-300 presentations on India 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.

He is also an active organizer and think tank of many of the pharma industry related associations like AIDCOC, IPA, Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association etc.