Govt notifies NIAB Hyderabad as Central Drugs Lab for testing COVID vaccines

Amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India and worldwide, the Central Government, as stated in the Gazette is satisfied that making available suitable COVID-19 vaccines is essential to meet the requirements of an emergency arising due to pandemic COVID-19, and in the public interest, it is necessary and expedient to regulate the testing of COVID-19 vaccines for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Further, it is highlighted that the Central Government is of the considered view that the supply of COVID-19 vaccines may not get affected and the vaccines must remain available to the public.

In light of the foregoing, the Central Government has directed the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, to conduct the functions of the Central Drugs Laboratory as an additional facility for COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the Director's functions for COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to their existing responsibilities.

The official gazette read,

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 6 and 26B read with section 33P of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940) and rule 3 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, the Central Government, hereby directs that the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, in addition to their existing functions, shall perform the function of Central Drugs Laboratory as an additional facility in respect of COVID-19 vaccines and the functions of the Director in respect of COVID-19 vaccines shall be exercised by the Director of the said Institute."

Additionally, it is also stated that in the event of any inconsistency between this notification and any rule established under the said Act, the terms of the notification must prevail over such rule in the public interest in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

Further, it is notified that the order will be in effect for a period of twelve months.

To view the official notice, click the link below: