The union ministry of health and family welfare has initiated a departmental inquiry into the functioning of the central drugs standard control organization (CDSCO), it is learnt.

The inquiry was necessitated following recent reports of the chaotic situation prevailing in the office of the Drugs Controller General of India. The committee, comprising of senior officials in the ministry, is busy preparing the report, which is to be placed before the secretary and the health minister soon.

However, there was no official confirmation on the constitution of the enquiry committee as the office of the health secretary denied the existence of such a committee. According to reliable sources, the minister wanted a report to be made on the functioning of the drug regulatory department to ascertain the seriousness of the allegations related to the functioning of the drugs control department before thinking of any remedial measure.

It should be recalled that pharmabiz was in the forefront of exposing the chronic staff shortage in the department, which was indirectly delaying drug sanctions at various levels. Pharmabiz had also brought to light the ongoing enquiry into the damage done by a Delhi-based fake drug approval racket and has indicated that the detection of the racket involving forging of new drug approval letters is an offshoot of this chaotic situation existing in CDCSO offices.

With the main accused in the fake drug approval case still at large, there is a general feeling among the industry circles that there are many malpractices that are waiting to be exposed. The report, to be prepared by deputy director general, ministry of health, would help find the seriousness of the entire issue, it is learnt.

According to industry sources, its high time the government ordered a full-fledged inquiry into the fake drug approval issue as they doubt that several companies have utilized the services of the racket to get all sort of clearances meant to come from the office of the DCGI.