In a new twist to the ongoing tussle between the union health ministry and the Indian Pharmacy Graduates' Association (IPGA) Tamil Nadu branch over the new Recruitment Rule (RR) framed by the ministry in June last year for the appointment of DCGI, the IPGA's national general secretary Dr Arun Garg has written a letter to the union health secretary stating that IPGA does not have any issue about Dr GN Singh's selection and appointment as DCGI.

Interestingly, the IPGA national general secretary's letter comes barely days after IPGA Tamil Nadu branch secretary Dilip Kumar filing a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court against the appointment of Dr GN Singh as DCGI by the union health ministry on February 21 this year.

“We understand that UPSC has shortlisted Dr GN Singh for the post of drugs controller general (India) and he has been given additional charge of DCG(I).  Dr GN Singh holds qualification as prescribed under Rule 49A and 50A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. His contribution as secretary-cum-scientific director, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is well known,” Dr Garg in his letter to the health secretary wrote and added, “Therefore, the Indian Pharmacy Graduates' Association does not have any issue about his selection to the post and his appointment to the post of drugs controller general (India) provided urgent steps are taken to modify the Recruitment Rules to bring it in line with provision of Rule 49A and 50A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.”

The IPGA general secretary's letter at this crucial stage of the case in Supreme Court has surprised many in the pharma field.

When contacted, IPGA Tamil Nadu branch secretary Dilip Kumar said that the letter has been written by Dr Arun Garg at this critical stage at the instance of senior health ministry officials who are worried about the case in the Supreme Court. He also alleged that the letter has been drafted to churn out personal gains to the office-bearers of the IPGA. It may be noted that IPGA national president Atul Kumar Nasa is a contender for the post of Deputy Drug Controller General of India for which interviews are to be conducted between 23 and 28 of this month.