The Telangana State Drug Control Administration (TSDCA) has launched a new microbiology laboratory in Hyderabad for testing injectables and other medicinal fluids prepared by the pharma companies. With this new launch, TS will be the only second state in the country to have an advanced microbiology laboratory after Kolkata.

This laboratory will be a major addition to the quality control wing of DCA in Telangana. As the DCA was depending on central drug laboratory in Kolkata for testing the microbiological or fungal contamination of fluid medicines, with the launch of its own testing laboratory has now come as a short in arm for the DCA. This laboratory will help the authorities testing the quality of injectables, IV fluids, ophthalmic preparations, and medical devices.

“Sterility is a vital factor in products which come in direct contact with blood and poor quality of the same can be fatal. Thus, the presence of a microbiology laboratory in the government sector will help to ensure that bacterial and fungal contamination of IVs, injections, ophthalmic preparations, medical devices does not happen and can be checked instantaneously without any delay. This sterility testing will critically ensure that sterilized pharmaceutical products are free from contamination of micro organisms,” observed Dr C Laxma Reddy, health minister of Telagnana, while inaugurating the microbiology lab in Hyderabad.

In fact this microbiology laboratory is the first of its kind in the government sector in South India. In the past, all such samples were being sent to Central Drug Laboratory, Kolkata for testing.

The design and layout are as per the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and standards and match the best in the world (The facility is Class 1000 with laminar air flow of Class 100). This laboratory is designed in a manner to avoid environmental contamination. It has interlocking of doors, dynamic passing system and panelling to prevent exposure. It is designed to maintain uniflow. Epoxy flooring prevents microbial contamination of floors, informed the officials of DCA.

With the launch of new microbiology testing laboratory in Hyderabad, now the Telagnana DCA, will be able to check quality of injectables, injections, intravenous fluids, ophthalmic medicines and medical devices in addition to earlier chemical examination of pharmaceutical products that it was undertaking. This would definitely ensure better quality pharmaceutical products for use of public in Telangana.