Regulator gets staff to enforce drug quality

The govt is planning to fill 250 new positions to strengthen enforcement

- Priyanka Sharma

The government plans to more than double the staffing at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) by filling 250 new positions to strengthen enforcement of good manufacturing practices for medicines, vaccines and medical devices, two people aware of the development said.

Also, a second drug controller will be appointed for the first time at India's apex drug regulator and a recruitment drive launched to appoint four joint drug controllers, 11 deputy drug controllers, 85 drug inspectors, especially for medical devices, and assistant drug controllers.

The recruitments will help the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), who heads CDSCO, to implement good manufacturing practices after Indian-made cough syrups were linked to the deaths of children overseas, bringing India's pharmaceutical sector under global scrutiny.