Dr R Ramakrishna, Deputy Drugs Controller (India) retired from his post on May 31, after completing 31 years of service in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). He is  succeeded by Shanthy Gunasekaran who has already joined the office on June 1, with the additional charges to handle the DDC's profile in Mumbai. Prior to joining the DDC office she was handling the affairs of the west zone from the centre as a link officer.

Gunasekaran will be taking over this post temporarily from Dr Ramakrishna who had joined CDSCO in May 1981. He is believed to have played a pivotal role in completing the mission of CDSCO as per the directives of DCGI's office which stresses on the need, 'to safeguard and enhance the public health by assuring safety, efficacy and quality of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices'.

During his tenure he took a lot of initiatives for uniform implementation of various provisions under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act (D&C), 1940 and rules along with FDA officials to safeguard quality products for the benefit of consumer safety.

As per the directions of DCGI in respect to transfer of certain functions and delegation of powers to zonal offices of CDSCO under Rule 22 of D&C Act , his team undertook the disposal of the applications submitted by various firms since June 1, 2011 till date without any hurdles. In the last 11 months about 10000 applications were received till date and were disposed off immediately during the year 2011-2012.

Under the supervision of Dr Ramakrishna, the total number of BA/BE centres inspected by his officials were found to be around 52, clinical trials inspections were 25, blood bank layout approvals were 225, renewal of blood bank licenses in Form 26 G were about 112 under CLAA Scheme and 222 inspections of blood banks were inspected during the year.

Dr Ramakrishna had played an important role in setting up of the new sub-zone, port offices at Goa and Indore apart from upgrading the offices by providing new office space to the port office at JNPT Nhava Sheva, air cargo Mumbai and Ahmedabad.