Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) has suggested to the central government that the centre should strengthen the existing Central Drugs Control Organization (CDSCO) as recommended by Dr Mashelkar Committee and as declared in Pharmaceutical Policy 2002, instead of forming Central Drug Authority (CDA).

In a memorandum submitted recently to the joint director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, the IDMA suggested that the centre should create strong, well equipped, independent and professionally managed CDSCO and to create separate division under CDSCO as per recommendations of Dr Mashelkar Committee. It has also suggested not to create a Central Drugs Authority by substituting a drugs Technical Advisory Board constituted under Section 5 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Ayurveda, Shidha and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board constituted under Section 33 C of the Act.

According to the IDMA, both these statutory bodies are broad based and are technical in nature. On the other hand, the proposed CDA will have only five members to be appointed by the central Government. The provision of section 5 of the proposed bill indicates that the central government is not bound to appoint technical experts on the Central Drugs Authority. It also said that the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its implementation is highly technical in nature and requires the advisory bodies comprising technically qualified experts.

It may be noted that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill 2007 was presented in Rajya Sabha on August 21, 2007 and was later referred to the Parliamentary standing committee to examine and put forth its suggestions. The committee invited suggestions from pharma associations and other stake holders on formation of CDA and these associations and other stake holders sent their suggestions to the committee in writing.