Govt to spend Rs 1750 cr on drug regulatory system upgradation

The central government is planning to spend Rs 1750 crore for strengthening the drug regulatory system both at the Central and the State levels. A proposal to this effect was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on August 12, 2015. The upgradation of the system will be spread over a period of three years. Out of Rs 1750 crore, Rs 900 crore will be spent on strengthening central structures and Rs 850 crore will be made available to the state governments, after signing a memorandum of understanding.
 
The upgradation will include provision of additional equipment and manpower in existing drug testing laboratories; setting up of new laboratories for testing drugs, medical devices and cosmetics; making mobile drug testing laboratories available; creation of additional manpower for regulatory structures, including for new and emerging areas such as stem cell, regenerative medicine, biologicals and medical devices in addition to drugs. The upgradation will also introduce organisation wide e-governance and information technology enabled (online) services, and setting up a training academy for regulatory and drug testing officials, of both the central and state governments.