Central Drugs Standards Organization (CDSCO) has decided to constitute a Task Force to carry out comprehensive review of the existing processes and procedures related to issuance of licenses used by the laboratories and the drugs control offices.

The key responsibility of the Task Force would be to suggest changes in the functioning of processes with a view to simplify and make them shorter and user-friendly.

According to CDSCO, during the review of the processes by the Task Force, it will need to consider the fact that these procedures are eventually to be made compliant with the online system for development of which a separate and appropriate approval has already been accorded.

The Task Force is led by Dr. BR Jagashetty, former drugs controller, government of Karnataka. Other members include Uttarwar, ex –joint commissioner, FDA Maharashtra, DK Shringi, ex drugs controller, Rajasthan, PK Jaggi, ex deputy drugs controller, Delhi, R Chandrashekar, deputy drugs controller, HQ as convener and five representatives of the industry associations.

According to the CDSCO circular dated October 21, 2014, the services of the representatives of the department of Legal Affairs and Legislative department would be required to the Task Force committee to review the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954.

The Task Force will accomplish its assigned job in a maximum period of two months from the date of its first meeting and the recommendation in respect of first five forms will be submitted to the Drugs Controller General of India within a period of 15 days and next five forms within the next 15 days.

Commenting on the creation of the Task Force, Dr BR Jagashetty told Pharmabiz that efforts to provide a user-friendly form for seeking licenses among other clearances will be looked into as per the circular issued.

With online submissions being in vogue, it is mandatory to make the processes far simpler and time saving. It would bring in transparency and efficiency to strengthen the stringent regulatory practices, he added.