With a view to bring in better accountability within the drug regulatory system, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisations (CDSCO's) recently issued a strong warning to all the CDSCO officials against corruption. While the industry exulted this decision, experts pointed out that the whole exercise will be in vein unless the same policies are being rigorously pursued in the respective states, as well.

It is understood that recently, following a high level meeting with the health ministry, the CDSCO had directed all its officials to refrain from indulging in any activities that may in any way compromise the health and life of the patients. The Centre insisted that no compromise will be tolerated on the account of its officials while delivering their duties that relate to granting licenses, approvals, and proper enforcement of the  regulatory functions, etc.

It was unanimously agreed upon by all that there will be zero tolerance towards corruption, and that all plausible steps will be taken to ensure better administration of the drug regulatory system across the country. The Centre cautioned all its drug officials including staff and its field formations which include the drug testing labs against any misconduct, which they warned will be viewed on a serious note.

Interestingly this move underlines views of the new government, which is a much awaited breather for many. A highly placed source pointed out that while the CDSCO has been taking tough decision over the years to strengthen the noose around the wrong doers by increasingly regulating the market, few steps have been taken at the state level to implement the same. Experts strongly feel that Centre should further explore and force the state as well to adopt the same with diligence, especially since the drug regulatory mechanism is weaker in some states.

“There is no uniformity in the implementation of the drug regulatory mechanism across the states, while some states like Gujarat, Chennai, Goa, Maharashtra have proved to be great at implementing the regulations with impressive acumen, some states have failed miserably in doing, impacting the governments aim to bring in transparency and accountability in the system.  The only way to balance this act is by identifying the states that need the push from the Centre so that they can be strengthened by culling out the unwanted factors.”