To assist the ongoing initiative of the Chhattisgarh government to strengthen their drug regulatory mechanism within the state, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA) recently imparted training to Chhattisgarh Food and Drugs Administration (CFDA). The seven-day training of the officials was focussed on effectively monitoring and implementing the drug and food related laws of the land for ensuring patient safety.

Interestingly, it was initiated following a request from the Chhattisgarh government to help develop and enforce their drug and food regulatory body in lines with that of the Gujarat FDCA. Senior FDCA officials gave the training on the mechanics of gathering intelligence, effectively conducting raid, filing report based on their findings, etc.

Apart from that they were also given hands on training and experience of conducting not just theoretical but practical work as well on how to effectively implement and monitor provisions of various acts like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and the regulations and acts relating to the FSSAI.

Dr Hemant G Koshia, commissioner of the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA) informed that the training programme was a great success as the officials were very happy in learning and understanding the overall mechanism of effectively overseeing the drug regulation in the state.

It is understood that impressed by the outstanding performance of the Gujarat FDCA in relentlessly implementing and monitoring the laws, the Chhattisgarh government had approached the drug regulatory body with an offer to absorb some senior FDCA officials to CFDA on higher remuneration. However Dr Koshia informed that the proposal was not accepted as the Gujarat FDCA has only limited staff, thus transferring manpower albeit promotions were not feasible for them.

“Due to the shortage of staff, we suggested officials to come here in Gujarat for the training purpose. As per that we trained around ten officials from CFDA. We are every happy that drug regulatory departments from across the country are approaching us for understanding our working culture. This is a great appreciation for us and further reinstates our focus on developing quality of our work for the greater good of the healthcare system,” said Dr Koshia.

This is not the first time the FDCA has imparted training to their counterparts in other states, earlier they had given training to officials from Mizoram on food safety.