Microbiology lab of DCA inaugurated

The Microbiology Laboratory of Drugs Control Administration was today inaugurated by Telangana Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy here.
This laboratory will be a major addition to the Quality Control Wing of DCA, Telangana with regard to testing of Injectables, IV fluids, Ophthalmic Preparations, and Medical devices, an official release stated.
Sterility is a vital factor in products which come in direct contact with blood and poor quality of the same can be fatal.
Thus, the presence of a microbiology laboratory in the government sector will help to ensure that bacterial and fungal contamination of IVs, injections, ophthalmic preparations, medical devices does not happen and can be checked, it said.

"This sterility testing will critically ensure that sterilised pharmaceutical products are free from contamination of Micro organisms," the release added.
The laboratory is the first-of-its-kind in the government sector in South India. In the past, all such samples were being sent to Central Drug laboratory, Kolkata for testing.

The design and layout are as per WHO guidelines and standards and match the best in the world (The facility is Class 1000 with Laminar air flow of Class 100), as per the release.
It added that the lab is designed in a manner to avoid environmental contamination.
It has interlocking of doors, dynamic passing system and panelling to prevent exposure.

The DCA, Telangana, now will be able to check quality of injectables, injections, intravenous fluids, ophthalmic medicines and medical devices in addition to earlier chemical examination of Pharmaceutical products that it was undertaking.
This would definitely ensure better quality pharmaceutical products for use of public in Telangana, the release added.Principal Secretary, Health Rajeshwar Tiwari, was also present.