The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has launched a new unit called the Coordination Division to manage a broader range of regulatory responsibilities as India’s drug authority shifts focus beyond quality control alone.
This newly formed division will handle a variety of administrative and strategic tasks, including the preparation of monthly cabinet reports and coordination of special assignments from top officials. According to an official order, “A new Division titled ‘Co-ordination Division’ is hereby created within CDSCO (HQ) with immediate effect.”
CDSCO currently oversees the approval and regulation of drugs, vaccines, cosmetics, and medical devices. It is also conducting risk-based inspections and audits across pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations, and both private and public laboratories across the country.
As part of a wider initiative, the Health Ministry has directed CDSCO to address the issue of counterfeit drugs in the Indian market. In addition, efforts are underway to support small and micro pharmaceutical companies in upgrading their facilities to meet international quality standards.
A senior government official noted that the increasing workload and limited staff have led to processing delays of about one to two months. The introduction of the Coordination Division is intended to alleviate this burden by redistributing responsibilities, allowing key personnel to focus on high-priority areas.
Key Responsibilities of the Coordination Division:
- Cabinet Reporting: Taking over the responsibility of submitting monthly reports to the Cabinet—previously handled by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) and the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC).
- Internal Coordination: Overseeing coordination functions within CDSCO that aren’t specifically assigned to other departments.
- Tracking CDSCO Achievements: Compiling and reporting on the agency’s progress in achieving objectives set by the Ministry of Health.
- Dissemination of Circulars: Managing the circulation of general, training, and vacancy-related circulars—duties earlier performed by the administration division.
- SSDRS Data Management: Taking charge of collecting and organizing data for the Strengthening of States’ Drug Regulatory System (SSDRS) scheme, a responsibility previously held by the GCT & Ethics Committee.
- Additional Assignments: Handling any other tasks assigned by higher authorities as needed.
This move is part of a broader restructuring effort to enhance operational efficiency within CDSCO amid growing demands and responsibilities.
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