NEW DELHI: In view of the latest quality issues arising in the cough syrups produced by indeginous firms the centre is actively considering a proposal of testing drugs at government laboratories before they are dispatched to other countries.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has proposed testing the drugs (finished products) at government labs before exporting, official sources said.
“The CDSCO has submitted that some intervention from the government was necessary to stop the low-quality cough syrups from entering the global supply chain from India,” an official said.
As per the proposal, the pharmaceutical firms looking forward to export their produce will have to submit the certificate of analysis of the batches issued by authorised laboratories. Following which the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will clear the release of the consignment for export.
The centre has listed selective labs for analysis of the sample—-Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) labs viz., RDTL (Chandigarh), CDL (Kolkata), CDTI (Chennai), CDTI (Hyderabad), CDTL (Mumbai), RDTI. (Guwahati)) and NABL-accredited drug testing labs of state governments.
Further, communications have been received from the World Health Organization (WHO). Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Department of Commerce (DoC) and other organisations and departments regarding such reports and results.