Mumbai : The drug regulatory system in Gujarat is getting strengthened through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) worth Rs. 70 crore with financial support from the State government. As per the government plan, the Central and State Governments will allocate funds in the ratio of 60:40 to strengthen the drug regulatory infrastructure in the state of Gujarat.
The Scheme which started in 2016-17 has been very high on the agenda of the Union Health Ministry which constantly reviews the Central assistance scheme towards upgrading the drug regulatory system in the state. As part of the programme, a new 12-storey building which will house India’s largest drug testing lab at Vadodara called as Food and Drug Testing Lab is also being utilised for Asia’s largest industrial rapid microbiological lab.
According to Gujarat FDCA Commissioner Dr H G Koshia, “We are also utilizing the funds allocated under the Centre – State sponsored scheme for capacity building, training and communication skills so as to help drug manufacturers in understanding global compliance levels. Evolving harmonisation of global regulations has necessitated adoption of best industry practices and effective management and communication is required to disseminate it.”
bioMérieux-India, the leading French company in microbiological testing technology and software, has collaborated with Gujarat FDCA for developing Vadodara based Microbiology Lab. The state drug regulator and bioMérieux, a 115-year old French company, have also collaborated on training programmes for microbiological testing technologies and applications to cater to the regulatory requirements of domestic and export markets.
Gujarat FDCA has also been equipping drug officials on detecting faulty medical devices and sub-standard drugs in line with the training imparted through collaboration with the industry. As a part of the programme, Gujarat FDCA has also initiated distribution of vehicles which will help drug officers to enhance mobility for reaching drug stores as well as the manufacturing units in a timely manner. “This will help expedite the investigation process and catch the wrongdoers effectively,” said Dr Koshia.
In order to make the system more transparent for ease of doing business (EoDB) with the help of a good governance system, the Gujarat government has also given laptops to the Gujarat FDCA enforcement team to make the on-line process easier, faster, efficient and transparent.
