Last Updated on April 23, 2024 by The Health Master
The government of Punjab has promoted the former SLA and Assistant Commissioner of the FDA, Sanjeev Kumar and appointed him as the Joint Commissioner and Administrative Head of the drugs control administration of the state.
He will also act as one among the three state licensing authorities (SLAs) looking after manufacturing and wholesales at the headquarters office in Chandigarh. Retail licensing is carried out by 10 zonal licensing authorities.
Hailing from Patiala, Sanjeev Kumar joined the Food and Drugs Administration in Punjab as a drug inspector in 1999. As the new State Drugs Controller (SDC), he took the charge from Pradeep Kumar Mattu who retired on the 30th of November.
He talked about the contributions of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and traders in Punjab and their services during the C-19 pandemic situations. He said, although the number of big players in Punjab is very few, there are a lot of small and medium level pharma manufacturers who are all supplying quality products to the entire nation.
Also read | Pharma industry seeks support from the Govt on MEIS
In the case of quality, the drugs manufactured in Punjab are in high standards and the department will provide all assistance to the industry to bring out high quality medicines for the whole of the country. He said the pharma industry of Punjab played a praiseworthy role by producing all kinds of medicines and hand sanitizers for the society at affordable prices during the peak of the C-19 pandemic.
Sanjeev Kumar said the drugs control administration in Punjab will act as a guiding force for the pharma SME sector in the state for their growth rather than acting as a compelling enforcement agency.
As regards the traders’ issues, he said he will try to solve all the problems faced by the Punjab chemists and druggists association.
When asked about the drug menace and the allegation that Punjab is the transit point and marketplace for the drugs smuggled from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and also from Iran, the new SDC said such smuggling and illegal sale of drugs and intoxicants were curbed long ago by joint effort of the drug control officials and now everything is smooth in the trade sector.
However, surveillance will be strengthened through all sources in the market and strict action will be initiated against any kind of violation.
Welcoming the appointment of Sanjeev Kumar as Jt Commissioner of the FDA, the president of the Punjab Chemists and Druggists Association, Surinder Duggal, said the association is hopeful that the new SDC will take the long pending issues of the traders of Punjab with the government. “We are fully confident and hundred percent sure that Sanjeev Kumar will try to solve the problems of the chemists in Punjab,” said Duggal.
For informative videos by The Health Master, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on Medical Store / Pharmacy, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on the news regarding Pharma / Medical Devices / Cosmetics / Homoeopathy etc., click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on consumer awareness, click on the below YouTube icon:
