Punjab govt reconstitutes anti-drug panel

Officials said that the committee would meet at least once in every three months

Punjab government has reconstituted a state-level drugs advisory committee to suggest ways and means to curb the drug abuse in the state.

The 10-member panel, headed by commissioner of food and drug administration (Punjab) as its chairman, has been constituted by Principal Secretary (health and family welfare) Vini Mahajan, officials said.

The constitution of the panel assumes significance as drugs are one of the major issues in the state, which is going to polls early next year.

According to a notification issued, state drugs controller, director (ayurveda), joint commissioner (food and drugs administration), joint commissioner (drugs) and director of government lab (Chandigarh), have been made the official members of the panel.

The non-official members of the board are Punjab Chemists Association President Surjit Singh Mehta and Drug Manufacturing Association President Jagdip Singh, among others.

The terms of reference of the committee would be to meet at least once in every three months and advice the State Drug Advisory Committee regarding the sale and manufacturing of drugs.

The term of the committee would be for two years, officials said.