The Union health ministry sanctioned 91 posts of drug inspectors (DI's) to strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), it is learnt. The order, issued in this regard on September 27, is considered as one of the major  recruitment drive till date within the drug regulatory system, reflecting the commitment of the government towards dealing with lack of manpower affecting the implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act across the country.

Till now, the number of drug inspectors recruited where limited to only 20 to 30 DI's at a given point of time, which usually did not meet the demand. Incidentally, three years back in the first phase of the recruitment drive that the Centre had initiated, only 65 DI's were selected and appointed.

Whereas, with this appointment, the CDSCO will now add up this number with additional 91 drug inspectors bringing the total number of appointed DI's to 156. In the third phase of the recruitment drive, which the CDSCO aims to initiate in coming two years, they plan to increase number further.

Interestingly, CDSCO has made a proposal in the 12th Five Year Plan between 2012 to 2017 to increase and create number of additional posts of drug inspectors to around 1000. to meet the growing market demand. Dr G N Singh, the drug controller general of India (DCGI) informed that the plan is to add 300 to 400 DI's every year to meet the above target.

“We really appreciate the co operation of the health ministry in fulfilling our long standing demand, by approving and hastening the recruitment process. Drug Inspectors play a major role in the implementation, examination and other important area of the the drug regulatory system. Especially in a country like India, where we need the support of strong and skilled workforce to meet this huge demand to ensue the safety and health of the people of the country,” Dr Singh stressed.

He further said that all the selected DI's will soon be trained in their area of expertise through the Drugs Inspectors Training Scheme (DITS) to enable them to meet the challenges properly with specific focus on enforcement technique.

All the selected candidates have cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination and will be able to join the office on their respective post as soon as they clear the required formalities under the law.