With a view to strengthen the drug regulatory system further in the state, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) is to have a close collaborative meeting with the Drug Information Association (DIA) officials in Gujarat in April. This initiative is a part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) singed between the two regulatory bodies under the knowledge sharing and networking initiatives during the Vibrant Gujarat 2013 Summit.

Interestingly, Gujarat FDCA is the only state drug regulatory body in the country with whom DIA have inked pact, agreeing to focus on extensive training programme and interactive sessions between the two, for the purpose of better monitoring of drugs through efficient and effective regulatory practices in the state. Under this MoU both the signatories will hence forth act as a strategic partner to organise various programmes and meeting that will be mutually beneficial for the other to attain global standards in drug regulatory system.

The two day meeting which is going to be organised on April 5 and 6 will basically focus on sharing important data on the regulatory issues faced by both the agencies to find a plausible solution to deal with the same. The meeting aims at keeping the drug officials from the FDCA abreast on all the latest international developments in the drug regulatory system like in the inspection techniques and other changing trends as per the requirements.

Simultaneously discussions will also be made with the stakeholders from the state on adopting industry friendly policies that will help in the development of the industry while keeping up with the requirements as mandated by the law.

Dr H G Koshia, commissioner, Gujarat FDCA “We are looking forward to this meeting which we hope will set in motion a series of action that is aimed at bringing and making the regulatory system a more stringent and updated to help us be at par with the international standards. Such collaborative effort is essential to develop not only our skills and knowledge, based on the wide expertise but also to  build a stronger relation with such international organisations who play a big role in ensuring patient safety.”

As per the latest report, Dr G N Singh is also expected to attend this meeting giving it an important boost at the centre. Further Dr Koshia expressed that considering the benefits from such collaborative efforts, the CDSCO should also take a firm step towards exploring such opportunities at the central level.

Gujarat FDCA already has a strong collaborative working relation with other international regulatory agencies like the US FDA, that was entered three years back on the same lines, i.e. to focus on training programme along with MHRA to name a few. Along with a sling of MoU's with national educational institutes and organisations like NIPER, PERD, IPGA etc.