The Karnataka drugs control department has further enhanced the strength of its team of drug inspectors (DIs) from 49 to 60. The department has initiated distributions of the posts and has also  identified the jurisdiction of districts for the placement of these personnel.

The department submitted the list of personnel for promotions for the final clearance from state government. In the process, it has promoted the former deputy drugs controller Abul Mohsin as additional drugs controller.

Earlier in February this year, the department which had 49 drug inspectors estimated the shortfall at 63 DIs. It was confident that the paucity of DIs would be offset by the 11 posts which were in the process of being filled up through the Karnataka Public Service Commission. It had also submitted its proposal for 50 more DI posts which would help conclude hiring of personnel in the enforcement wing and ensure adequate staffing.

Now the interviews of 11 drug inspector posts are complete and the provisional list is announced by the Karnataka Public Service Commission, Raghurama Bhandary, drugs controller, government of Karnataka told Pharmabiz.

In order to ensure the future availability of qualified pharmacy personnel in the state drugs control department, the government had approved the establishment of the second government pharmacy college at Gulbarga for which the land registration is complete. The department has also embarked on taking steps towards complying to NABL accreditation of its two drug testing labs at Hubli and Bellary.

“Although we received a state government budget allocation of Rs. 40.27 crore for this fiscal 2014-15 in mid-February, some of the projects are status quo for the last several weeks. In the case of NABL certification, the whole process is lengthy. There are delays because of the General Election.  These processes are expected to take off by the end of the month,” he added.

In the case of the two drug testing labs at Hubli and Bellary, the department is making the necessary efforts to go in for modular formats which would provide it modern look and the working convenience to its scientific personnel. The government out of the allocation of Rs. 40.27 crore has set aside Rs. 4.9 crore for this purpose. The process of calling for tenders for this project will commence soon, he said.

To equip the labs with the advanced instrumentation, the department has also received a funding to the tune of Rs. 5 crore from the World Bank to purchase the necessary equipment.