Kohima: Minister of Health and Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak, on Friday, inaugurated the office complex of Drug Control Administration and Nagaland Drug Laboratory at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW).
Speaking at the programme, the minister said the laboratory, once fully equipped, will contribute towards controlling and regulating drugs in the state.
The project costing INR 5 Crore was undertaken as part of the Central government’s “Strengthening of State Drug Regulatory System” scheme, informed W.H. Patton, Additional Drugs Controller, Controlling and Licensing Authority of the Health department.
The initial phase of the project, which encompassed the infrastructure for the Nagaland Drug Laboratory, commenced in 2020 and was successfully completed in September this year. The second phase is awaiting approval from the Ministry, it was informed.
Upon establishment, the laboratory will have the capacity to test 1000 samples per annum and it will play a crucial role in controlling sub-standard medicines within the state and guaranteeing the provision of quality medicines to the general public, it added.
The inauguration programme was attended by Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, V. Kezo; Principal Director of Health department, Dr. Ritu Thurr; and several other senior health officials.
Visato Yhoshu, pastor of Union Baptist Church Kohima, offered the dedicatory prayer.
