With a view to synergise and strengthen the role of the state drug regulatory bodies in ensuring best regulatory practices, which are at par with the international standards, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for the first time has decided to send a state drug controller to an international drug regulatory programme to be organised in Korea.

This initiative is seen as a proactive step taken by the CDSCO towards cementing the gap between the centre and state regulators so as to ensure adoption of better and more efficient drug regulatory mechanism throughout the country. In a first of its kind move, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) have nominated Navneet Marwaha, drug controller of Himachal Pradesh to participate in the international drug regulatory meeting that is being organised by the Korean government.

Interestingly, this strategic move reflects the keen interest that the Centre is taking to bring in the state regulators under its fold by exposing them to greater opportunities that will help them in better understanding of the regulatory issues, challenges and the steps expected to be taken by them. Most importantly, it is also expected to give them a chance to understand and learn from such events on the nuances and the practices that will help in adopting better regulatory practices in the country.

Till now, only the top representatives from the CDSCO’s office were nominated to attend international events of this scale thus, this move signals a strong paradigm shift in the way the centre is looking at developing its relation with the state drug regulatory bodies in an effort to unify the drug regulatory activities, to ensure better and effective implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C Act). Dr G N Singh, DCGI of the country informed that through this initiative they want to give greater exposure to the state representatives so as to ensure that all the drug regulatory officials from the country are sensitised and kept updated on the regulatory developments.

“This will not only help them in getting better understanding of how to efficiently implement the D&C Act in their respective state, but will also keep them attuned and keyed into all the latest regulatory developments, trends and challenges as required to ensure best patient safety practices. We are constantly taking proactive steps towards boosting our regulatory mechanism to ensure availability of only the most efficacious and safe drugs throughout the country and this initiative is a step towards further boosting and supporting our goal,” pointed out Dr Singh.

On selecting the drug controller from Himachal Pradesh for this maiden move, he informed that the Centre decided to nominate Marwaha, because of the strategic importance the state enjoys when it comes to the pharma industry. As it is known, Baddi in Himachal Pradesh is home to the country’s largest pharma cluster, with many national and international pharma giants as well as small scale manufacturers having their manufacturing units in the state.