In a strategic visit, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) today met top officials from the CDSCO's West zone office to review and discuss activities relating to effective monitoring and functioning of the drug regulatory system within the west zone. This is the third visit of Dr G N Singh, DCGI to the west zone, after his appointment as the DCGI and will basically focus on evaluating and examining the role of the drug regulators in administrating its work through internal audit and interaction with the stakeholders.

In the high level meeting with the stakeholders, the DCGI urged them to focus on developing better understanding between the regulatory body and the industry for the greater growth prospect of the industry. One of the key focus of the visit was to gauge on the affect of the implementation of the recent notification relating to the amendment to Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C Act) and Rules, approval of new drugs and clinical trials, import registration and licensing, banning of drugs and cosmetics, grant of test license, personal license, NOCs for export, testing of drugs etc.

Dr Singh informed that such interaction with the stakeholders are very much important as it will help them in examining and reviewing the impact of the new notification and policies accordingly so as to take necessary steps to improve the situation. For this purpose, Dr Singh met with the top associations from the industry namely IDMA, AIOCD, etc. to name a few.

“Main aim behind my visit is not only to oversee the activities of the west zone office but also to have an extensive interactive session with the stakeholders on the current issues and problems faced by them. Most importantly, we want to ascertain them that we are always there to listen to their problems through their representation, which is essential for adopting a better drug regulatory system in the country. We want to send in a strong message to the industry that we a looking forward to develop a symbiotic relation with the industry,” he informed.

The meeting with the stakeholders is reported to have basically focused on clarifying some of the major issues and doubts faced by the the stakeholders with respect to certain regulatory policies adopted recently. Apart from that this visit is also said to be a step towards initiating the centres plan towards revamping the regulatory system to become more transparent and accountable in its approach, with major focus on e-governance and making the organisation into a nearly paperless office.