Task Force on Trace and Track is in the process of looking into the feasibility of the project to develop a software for drugs manufacturing tracking system.

At the 2-day meeting, the third held in Bangalore, representatives of the Task Force under the chairmanship of  Hemant Koshia, commissioner, Gujarat FDA, was working to create a mechanism to come up with a comprehensive report on the information technology requirements including software to network drug manufacturers and pharma retail outlets.

The constitution of Task Force committee on trace and track follows the directions of the Allahabad High Court writ petition: Brahmaji versus State of Uttar Pradesh in 2008.

“We need to link companies from global players to small and medium enterprise who manufacture drugs for exports or domestic arena involving even retail pharmacies in the remote locations. In this third meeting, we have been able to examine the feasibility of the networking and tracking of the drug distribution system in the country. We are also identifying the requirements of the software which will be developed by National Informatics Centre,” stated Koshia.

According to the deputy drugs controller (India), CDSCO (HQ), D Mitra the job on hand is not easy as  it is a massive exercise and a herculean task. “Although the time frame of six months has been indicated for report submission, we need several rounds of discussion to come out with a fool-proof report,” he added.

The adoption of bar code and Unique Identification Number can now help in the networking of drug distribution. “For this we need to examine  the requirements of different stake holders. In case we are not able to come out with the report within the stipulated deadline, we could request for an extension. But at this point of time, it would be impossible to give a time frame going by the kind of integrated network and coordination that is mandated, Mitra added.

Dr BR Jagashetty, Karnataka drugs controller who is also part of the Task Force said that in order to have broader perspective on the factors to be considered in the trace and track of drugs, the Bangalore meeting also tabled a discussion round with Dr H Sudarshan, former head, Karnataka Task Force on Health and Family Welfare.

The tracking and tracing of the product will provide an accurate information on the genuineness and authenticity of the drug which is sold, informed assistant drugs controller (India), Dr E Reddy.