The Nashik Division of Drug Manufacturers Welfare Association in association with the All India Drugs Control Officers' Confederation (AIDCOC) has organized a one-day seminar on amended schedule M at Nashik. The seminar, which was focused at sensitizing the members of the Association on the amended provisions of the schedule M, their obligation under the law and to assist them to evolve the strategy for compliance of schedule M before the stipulated deadline of January 1, 2003, was attended by around 140 representative comprising owners and senior executives from the pharma industry.

Inaugurated by S. V. Kulkarni, Joint Commissioner, Nashik Division, FDA Maharashtra, the one-day seminar had keynote addresses from experts and senior drug control officials. Addressing the industry delegates at the event, S.W. Deshpande Secretary General, AIDCOC explained the logics behind the amendment, the thrust areas and implications of the amended schedule M.

Banarase, Drugs Inspector, further explained the provisions in detail on the basis of case study and his personal experience as the regulatory officer. Dr. Milind Joshi, corporate manager, (Regulatory Affairs) of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., made a very informative presentation on "Quality Assurance - A focused approach in amended Schedule 'M'.

The best part of session was the presentation made by Pravin Mankar, Director, Vignesh Pharma, Mumbai, on monitoring the quality of air in pharmaceutical industry. He also made presentation on water quality management. Shri. Kekatpure, Drug Inspector, made a presentation of the salient features of Good Manufacturing Practices and the requirements prescribed under schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for the manufacturers of Indian system of medicine. During the seminar, there were lively interaction and queries raised by the participants. Officers of FDA from Nashik Division also participated in the seminar. The programme was compared by Gaikwad. Danil, president, and Dhamane, secretary of Nashik Division Drug Manufacturers Welfare Association, played a crucial role in organizing the seminar.