The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is expected to meet the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) soon to discuss and deliberate over the  regulatory issues faced in the country. The meeting is aimed at finding newer avenues that will ensure the availability and deliverance of high quality healthcare services to all the people across the country.

This will be the first meeting wherein, Dr G N Singh who was recently granted three months extension as the DCGI, will be meeting the DTAB, which is the highest-decision making body on the technical matters related to drugs. A major thrust area of the CDSCO would be to impress upon the point of becoming a strong, vibrant and efficient healthcare service providing institute for ensuring public safety.

Dr Singh stressed that the Indian market is growing remarkably so it is essential for the CDSCO to take steps that will lead to systematic changes in the present regulatory system to meet the global demands and enable the Indian regulatory system to stand at par with other international standards.

He added, “Our main agenda and mission is to safeguard and enhance the public health by assuring safety, efficacy and quality of the drugs, cosmetics and medical devices that are used across the country. We have already taken proactive steps to ensure the implementation of the same by directing all the zonal and sub zonal offices of the CDSCO to start functioning on this mission.”

This meeting is expected to be quite important as it will focus on adopting stronger methods for implementing the drugs and cosmetics (D&C) Act and Rules throughout the country. Most importantly CDSCO is believed to be working very hard on bringing major strategic changes in its administrative process to enable closer and stricter enforcement and monitoring of its regulations through its office in the centre; its zonal and sub zonal offices and other network.

Dr Singh further stressed that to address the growing healthcare needs in the country it is essential to take pro-active steps to enhance the regulatory system accordingly to help it become effective and strong. He pointed out, “Right now our focus is not only to address the present issues that is prevalent in the healthcare system that demands stronger implementation of the regulatory provisions as given in the D&C Act and Rules. But also to work on moving forward by adopting and developing newer regulatory practices that is India specific.”