|
The need for a strong, centralized regulatory structure for India’s pharmaceutical industry has taken center stage, with experts calling for the establishment of a Central Drug Regulatory Cadre and a Central Drug Regulatory Body under the Directorate General Drug Administration (DGDA) as part of the need to develop a policy reform towards restructuring the drug regulatory ecosystem in India.
This proposed body on which Udyog Development Foundation (UDF) has a dedicated expert meet in Delhi this week, would serve as an umbrella organization, leading and overseeing national and state drug regulatory departments under a specialized Indian Pharmaceutical Regulatory Service (IPRS).
Experts are advocating for a bold restructuring of the drug regulatory landscape in the country. Leading the charge, Amitav Joyprakash Choudhury, organizing secretary and founder of the UDF, emphasized the pressing need for a robust and centralized regulatory structure to safeguard patient safety, public welfare, and the integrity of the pharmaceutical industry.
Speaking about the expert meeting in Delhi this week, Choudhury stressed that the establishment of a Central Drug Regulatory Cadre and a Central Drug Regulatory Body under the DGDA is essential.
A key component of this proposed framework is the creation of the Indian Pharmaceutical Regulatory Service (IPRS), which would function similarly to other existing civil services such as 1.Archaeological Service, Group 'A'. 2. Botanical Survey of India, Group 'A'.3. Central Engineering (Civil) Group 'A' Service. 4. Central Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical) Group 'A' Service. 5. Central Health Service, Group 'A'. 6. Central Revenues Chemical Service, Group 'A'. 7. Central Secretariat Service- (a) Selection Grade (b) Grade I.8. General Central Service, Group 'A'. 9. Geological Survey of India, Group 'A'. 10. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group 'A'. 10-A. Indian Civil Accounts Service. 11. Indian Defence Accounts Service 12. Indian Foreign Service, Group 'A'. 13. Indian Meteorological Service, Group 'A'. 14. Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'.15. Indian Posts and Telegraphs Traffic Service, Group 'A'. 16. Indian Revenue Service – (a) Customs Branch (Indian Customs Service, Group 'A') (b) Central Excise Branch (Central Excise Service, Group 'A' (c) Income Tax Branch (Income Tax Service, Group 'A') 17. Indian Salt Service, Group 'A'. 18. Mercantile Marine Training Ship Service, Group 'A'. 19. Directorate General of Mines Safety, Group 'A'. 20. Overseas Communications Service, Group 'A'. 21. Survey of India, Group 'A'. 22. Indian Telecommunication Service, Group 'A'. 23. Zoological Survey of India, Group 'A'. 24. Indian Frontier Administrative Service, Group 'A'- (a) Grade I (b) Grade II 25. Central Legal Service (Grades I, II, III and IV) 26. Railway Inspectorate Service, Group 'A' 27. Indian Foreign Service, Branch (B) (erstwhile)- (a) General Cadre, Grade I (b) General Cadre, Grade II 28. Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service, Grade I. 29. Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service, Grade II.30. Indian Inspection Service, Group 'A' 31. Indian Supply Service, Group 'A' 32. Central Information Service- (a) Selection Grade (b) Senior Administrative Grade (c) Junior Administrative Grade (d) Grade I (e) Grade II 33. Indian Statistical Service,34. Indian Economic Service 35. Telegraph Traffic Service, Group 'A' 36. Central Water Engineering Service, Group 'A' 37. Central Power Engineering Service, Group 'A' 38. Company Law Board Service 39. Labour Officers of the Central Pool, Group 'A' 40. Central Engineering Service (Roads), Group 'A' 41. Indian Posts and Telegraphs Accounts and Finance Service, Group 'A' 42. Indian Broadcasting (Engineers) Service 43. Central Trade Service, Group 'A' 44. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (Group 'A') 45. Central Secretariat Official Language Service (Group 'A').
The establishment of IPRS could provide the backbone needed for a comprehensive policy framework that will address current gaps in regulation, enforcement, and coordination between different regulatory bodies and state drug regulatory authorities in the pharmaceutical sector.
|