Deputy Drug Controller of India Dr Venkateshwaralu on Monday said the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) should be implemented strictly in the drug manufacturing process.

Addressing a two-day workshop on 'Dosage Form Validation' organised by the State chapter of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association here, Dr Venkateshwaralu said the time is ripe to accept the modern technology of drug manufacturing. It's a must to develop the infrastructure for the same, he said adding, the GMP should be followed in totality.

He said that the drug manufacturers would have to follow the Schedule M strictly. Those who fail to do so will be out of the race, he added.

Senior drug inspector Kapil Bhargav seconded his views and said that the small drug manufacturers have to gear up to face the challenges. Quality can be maintained only by following the Schedule M strictly.

Representatives of different Indian and multinational companies made their presentations during the two-day seminar. Aventis Pharma vice-chairman Nagarsenkar shed light on 'Framing Validation Policy', Saxeria Chemical (Mumbai) CEO Chodankar talked about 'Chemical Validation', Lambha from Lupin Laboratories (Bhopal) informed the gathering about 'Sterile Validation', Nicholas Piramal vice-chairman Joshi shed light on 'Dosage Form Validation', Pfizer director (Mumbai) Kanetkar talked about Validation in Microbiological Analysis' and Dr Malkar of Mumbai gave the presentation on 'Environment in Validation'.

Government officials, drug manufacturers and officials in large numbers attended the workshop. The guests were welcomed by IPA secretary Dr Subhash Rijhwani and S C Airen welcomed the guests. The technical sessions were conducted by Sunil Makode and B K Choudhary proposed the vote of thanks.