Karnataka drugs controller Dr BR Jagashetty has been empanelled as member of two sub-committees formed by the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) to oversee the computerization and spurious drugs implementation and control respectively.

Dr Jagashetty is one of the 8 members of the sub-committee for spurious drugs. The other representatives are from drugs control departments of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Pudicherry, Gujarat and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Under this committee, efforts will be made to suggest ways and means to tackle the issue of spurious drugs. The government has already appointed an expert committee to look into the matter. The sub-committee will help in the formation of detailed legislative and administrative guidelines to tackle the menace of spurious drugs, stated Dr Jagashetty.

The sub-committee to oversee the computerization of the drugs control department operations across the country will ensure that systems are transparent. Other than the Karnataka drugs controller, this committee has representatives from Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Further, every district department of the drug control will have the entire status of the drug availability and sales once the systems are computerized and networked. It will also be linked to the office of the Drugs Controller General of India who can have the details of the drug availability status at the click of a button.

The other sub committees announced by the DCC will look into testing of drugs, newly amended Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill 2006 and strengthening of the drug administration.

All the suggestions will need to be provided to the DCC by February 15, 2009. Meanwhile there will be another meeting in January to ensure that the sub-committees are working on the right track, stated Dr Jagashetty.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Drugs Control department has redeployed the staff of its Drug Test Lab to its two new facilities at Hubli and Bellary in north Karnataka. The two new labs are expected to be operational by the first week of January. Around 13 personnel from the technical and non technical areas will now operate from the two locations. The labs would now augment the number of tests being carried out which is crucial in the wake of the aggressive spurious drug investigative drive in the State, added Dr. BR Jagashetty.