With a view to strengthen the drug regulatory system in the country, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has embarked on one of its much awaited and anticipated projects relating to modernisation of its existing system by adopting e-governance throughout the country. Major thrust will also be given on adding skilled manpower to its workforce along with capacity building measures at the centre to ensure timely and efficient delivery of services to benefit the interest of the patients across the country.

This strategic decision was taken during the drug consultative committee (DCC) meeting that was recently concluded in Delhi, wherein it was agreed upon by all that there is a need to revamp the drug regulatory system, to meet the changing needs and demands of the country. It is understood that the CDSCO will soon initiate its plan to expand the existing drug testing laboratories further so as to improve regulatory set up of the country along with building new testing labs as per the need.

According to Dr G N Singh, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), they plan to increase the number of skilled manpower by at least 1000 people at the centre in the coming years to undertake different activities as required. At the same time the centre has also asked the state drug authorities as well to send their proposal for manpower and capacity building along with other requirements at the earliest so as to initiate steps to further their cause.

He informed that many states have already started the project of revising their existing system to upgrade and meet the current needs by brining in and adopting regulatory changes that will be effective and helpful in the uniform implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C Act) and Rules throughout the country. “Our aim is to make the Indian drug regulatory system into an efficient and effective regulatory body so as to adopt best patient centric services. We are at present working on exploring the possibility of linking our existing systems to the national network operating system so that all the data acquired by us relating to patient safety and drug information and its use, can be put on public domain for the patients from all over over the country to access,” Dr Singh informed.

It is understood that the health ministry had demanded an allocation of approximately Rs.6000 crore in the 12th five year plan for various CDSCO related activities. In the light of the same, the CDSCO has been working on laying plans to project the investment smartly so as to adopt and upgrade its regulatory system at par with other advanced drug regulatory system.