The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has witnessed a significant increase in the number of sample testing by three fold this year, enabling them to safeguard healthcare needs of its citizens further. It is understood that the drug regulating agency has tested more than 9000 drug samples this year alone compared to 3000 drug sampling done in the previous years.

Gujarat FDCA informed that this they have been able to do without even increasing their manpower from their existing strength. Dr H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA states that they have expanded their enforcement action and testing capabilities by developing its technical competency and adopting continuous training programme which in turn helped them in strengthening their already existing force to the next level.

At present the Gujarat FDCA has a team of 84 drug inspectors, 42, senior drug inspectors, 26 assistant commissioners, six deputy commissioners, five joint commissioners headed by a commissioner. There are in total three testing laboratories in the state, two dedicated to food testing laboratories at Rajkot and Bhuj and one state of the art food and drug testing laboratory at Baroda.

“What makes our achievement standalone is that we have been able to achieve this feat without even expanding our resources, by focussing on exploring the power of modern information technologies (IT) and good governance. Continuous training programme and education to our staff members to use modern IT technologies have helped us a lot in expanding our delivery of services, even with limited resources.  The stark contrast in the number of testing stands proof of our commitment towards ensuring that only highest quality drugs are manufactured and sold in the state,” Dr Koshia added.