Dr BR Jagashetty former Karnataka drugs controller will take over as the National Advisor for drugs control and project in-charge for the implementation of two schemes of Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO), in mid November 2014.

Following a fresh communiqué from the ministry of health and family welfare order dated November 3, 2104 , he was asked to take up the responsibility immediately.

His role as the National Advisor will be to guide the health ministry as well as CDSCO on administrative, regulatory, legal related issues. The area of operation would cover the entire country and he would be required to tour states in connection with his functioning.

Further, he would be in-charge of implementing all 12th Plan activities of the Ministry relating to drugs control.

As Project-in-charge, Dr Jagashetty will need to take on the implementation of two schemes of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Strengthening of States' Drug Regulatory System.

The new post also entails coordination with various other agencies of the Government, states and union territories. In addition, he would be required to attend various meetings in the ministry or in other offices on behalf of the CDSCO or the ministry.

The ministry of health and family welfare has also thrust the onus to appoint required contractual personnel to assist in the dissemination of the various assignments. In fact, the CDSCO has earmarked a separate fund for the remuneration of the supporting manpower.

“As National Advisor my maiden focus would be to ensure total computerization and networking of the CDSCO. This will be followed by the ensuring the uniform implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. In addition, with the help of all officers from the CDSCO and state drugs control departments efforts will be made to eliminate spurious drugs manufacture and its sale from the country. The fact of the matter is that only computerisation would bring in higher efficiency and  transparency in jobs to be undertaken and completed”, Dr Jagashetty told Pharmabiz.

“In an era of social media, mobile technology, big data analytics and cloud computing, have significantly transformed an office environment.  Therefore, in the case of drugs department too, it is critical to ensure speedy disbursal of files and ensure competence at every level of work”, he added.

During his reign as Karnataka drugs controller between May 1, 2008 and October 31, 2013, he brought in notable transformation to convert the department to adopt quick and efficient services. In April 2012, he introduced five services of the State drugs control department under the Karnataka Bill Sakkala to provide for guarantee of services to its citizens. The department officers were to ensure that granting and renewal of  licenses in pharmacy trade and manufacturing approvals were completed within 30 days. “As of now my action plan will be to ensure a similar concept at the national level. This will be the only way to ensure accountability, said Dr Jagashetty.