A workshop for small scale manufacturers on Schedule M of Drugs and Cosmetics Rule was jointly organized by WHO in association with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and The Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Tamil Nadu Branch at Chennai on June 6 and 7, 2003.

All the drugs control authorities of the southern states participated in the two day workshop. Eminent speakers from the Drugs Control and industrial organizations addressed the gathering on various topics relating to the revised Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules. The speakers discussed in their presentations, the needs and modes of implementation of GMP guidelines as described in the revised Schedule M, which is applicable to all manufacturing establishments from January 1, 2004. Importance of air handling systems, cleaning, sanitation, documentation, validation, SOPs, stability studies, environmental controls and monitoring etc., were dealt with in great detail by the speakers.

Dr S R Gupta, Joint Drugs Controller (India) welcomed the gathering. A Krishna Dev, President, IPA, TN Branch gave a brief introduction about the workshop and R Narayanaswamy, Dy. Drugs Controller (India) proposed the vote of thanks.