The Health Ministry of Pondicherry government has drawn up a new plan to set up a separate Drug Control Department bifurcating the existing Food and Drugs Control Administration. The ministry hopes that separate department will revamp and streamline the functions of the drug control administration effectively, health minister E Valsaraj told Pharmabiz.

From 1964, the food and drug control administrations have been working under one Director with separate staffs and facilities using same offices in four regions of the union territory. With the establishment of separate drug control department, more posts would be created and the functioning would be strengthened. Separate administration for drug control was a long standing demand of the officials in the department.

The minister said he has made a statement about the bifurcation of FDA in the recent meeting of the legislative assembly. “Modalities are to be worked out to pave the way for separation. Steps have already been taken and the process is going on to realize it in the nearest future,” he said. After the establishment of the new administration, it can function as a separate department with a Director as HoD.

According to sources, the head office of the department will be functioning in the same premises of the health department in Pondicherry, while there will be three regional offices headed by assistant directors of drugs controller, each in Karaikal, Yanem and Mahe. The ADCs will function in the capacities of Licensing Authorities for the grant and renewal of sale licenses in each zone. Other administrative posts required for the functioning of the department would also be filled soon. The Minister said all the problems now faced by the department would be sorted out and addressed one by one. Before long, the drugs control department in Pondicherry will have a status like that of the same departments in other states.

To another question, Valsaraj said the drug regulatory administration will be strengthened in a big way soon by increasing the staff strength of drug inspectors and other officers. The current staff strength of drug inspectors and other officers are not sufficient for the smooth functioning of the department.

The government will fill up the post of drug controller, which is lying vacant for the last 20 years. The department will get a state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratory with qualified staff and an analyst. Now the samples taken by the inspectors are sent to the testing lab of Bangalore drugs control department for testing and analysis. Whereas, a separate laboratory is working for food testing. Now the department has a separate Licensing Authority.

According to sources, after the amendment of Drugs and Cosmetics Act in 1989, the post of a controlling authority was not notified in the union territory and the duty was fulfilled by either the commissioner or the additional commissioners.

While addressing members in the assembly, the minister said his office would try to start a government medical college in the union territory in the coming academic year for which he would persuade the Medical Council of India. A hospital for women and children will be opened shortly in the territory. Tele-consultation facility is being arranged in the PHCs and CHCs of Karaikal to facilitate people in the area for immediate healthcare delivery.