The task force which was set up by the Union Health Ministry to develop software for drug manufacturing and tracking system will be meeting on May 19 and 20 at the Gujarat FDCA office. The two-day event will focus on interacting with various service providers in the area of drug tracking system and getting their views.

The task force which was set up in Delhi in mid-March to find a software that could be used for tracking the drugs right from the manufacturers to the retailers to check the menace of counterfeiting of drugs in the country had its first meeting at the DCGI's office in April.

According to H G Koshia, commissioner, Food & Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat who is also the chairman of the task force, the upcoming meeting will mark the start of the operations of the task force and will focus on getting information on the software to be implemented.

“Our main agenda through this is to ensure that all the stakeholders are involved with us in this process so that it will help in exchange of ideas and lead us to new dimensions. Moreover, having a proper track and trace system will help in dispensing correct medicines at much faster rate or speed and shall avoid dispensing wrong products to the end user or consumer. We will be glad to hear their suggestions and interact with them to know about latest in this field and incorporate it in our recommendation,” he said.

Koshia informed that one of the highlights of this meeting is that they would also be interacting with the members of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to discuss and understand the method they are using for drug distribution system. AIOCD has its network from micro level villages to metro level cities and has adopted modern technology and developed its own software programmes.

This meeting is one among the many meetings in line that the task force has in mind. Only after having series of interaction can the task force suggest some modalities and recommendation to the government. Once the task force submits its recommendation to the DCGI they would take up this issue with the appropriate body.

Once the track and trace system is implemented in the country all the manufacturers in the country will have to adopt the new software and the state drug authorities will be liable to keep a tab on the companies and to check whether it is implemented effectively.