Govt to implement uniform measures for Drug Quality and Safety

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Govt of India
Govt of India

Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by The Health Master

Drug Quality and Safety

In a proactive move aimed at addressing ongoing concerns about drug quality and safety as well as ensuring consistent enforcement of regulations, the government is taking a comprehensive approach.

This approach involves the implementation of a set of measures to ensure uniformity in documentation, enforcement, and market surveillance across the country.

Uniform Documentation and Licensing Approval

One of the key components of this strategy is the uniform implementation of document- and dossier-based approval for licensing pharmaceutical drugs nationwide.

This approach aims to standardize the approval process and enhance the quality of drugs manufactured in the country.

In the 61st meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) held in June 2023, the committee extensively discussed and endorsed the concept of document-based licensing.

They also proposed the development of a specified checklist or format that could be uniformly adopted throughout the country.

The checklist, currently used for approving new drugs by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), may be adapted with necessary modifications in line with the Drugs Rules of 1945.

Recommendations by DCC

After thorough deliberation, the DCC recommended the following actions:

  1. Implementation of dossier or document-based licensing for drugs uniformly across the country.
  2. Development of a standardized checklist for document submission by applicants, based on the CDSCO’s checklist for subsequent new drugs.
  3. Issuing a directive by the Drugs Controller General (India) advising State Licensing Authorities to implement document-based licensing consistently nationwide.

Enhancing Market Surveillance

The DCC acknowledged that the current system of testing approximately 1 lakh drug samples faced challenges due to the absence of a comprehensive common database and a lack of coordination among various States and Union Territories.

To address this issue and improve the monitoring of drug quality, the DCC recommended:

  1. Developing a guidance document for drawing samples of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices in consultation with stakeholders
  2. Initiating joint risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing sites across States and Union Territories.

Optimizing Resource Allocation

Recognizing the need for efficient resource allocation and better product quality, the DCC emphasized the importance of consistent compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP).

To achieve this, they recommended:

  1. Conducting inspections using a risk-based approach, considering factors such as inspection history, product risk, past inspection findings, and the presence of not-of-standard-quality (NSQ) drugs.

Addressing Concerns About Drug Quality and Safety

These decisions come in response to growing concerns about Drug Quality and Safety in India, both for domestic consumption and export.

The central drug regulator is committed to addressing these issues through coordinated efforts and standardized procedures.

In conclusion, the central drug regulator is taking significant steps to ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical drugs in India.

By implementing uniform documentation, licensing, and inspection procedures, they aim to enhance drug quality and strengthen regulatory oversight, ultimately benefiting both consumers in India and international markets.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.

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