Chennai: In the wake of shortage of drug inspectors and inadequate laboratory facilities, the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department has sought Central aid to the tune of Rs 43 crore for strengthening the drug regulatory system and manpower in the state.
This will help drug inspectors to reach out to more areas without being under pressure and enforce the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. At present, drug inspectors collect the samples from retailers, wholesalers and manufacturing companies and dispatch them to labs for potency test.
Additional manpower would give more teeth to the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Administration (TNDCA) to enforce the act, particularly in the southern districts. A detailed proposal seeking Rs 43 crore to strengthen the drug regulatory system and manpower in TN would be submitted to the Centre.
During the meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) held at the national capital recently, the state drew the attention of the Centre for the need to establish a laboratory and sanctioning three assistant drug controllers’ office buildings besides 64 drug inspectors’ posts to strengthen the state enforcement agency.
“We expect about Rs 43 crore. The proposal will be sent through the State government and we hope to have a laboratory in Madurai to cater to the southern districts soon,” said M. Abdul Khader, director of DCA. The Centre has earmarked Rs 950 crore for strengthening the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in the 12thplan period and in addition has set apart Rs 750 crore for the state enforcing agencies.
