Punjab Govt Sets Up Advisory Council, Warns Zero Tolerance on Spurious Drugs
New Delhi: In a renewed push to tighten drug safety in Punjab, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh has called on all pharmaceutical manufacturers in the state to immediately strengthen quality standards, intensify raw-material testing, and ensure strict compliance throughout the manufacturing process.
Speaking during a review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, he cautioned that even though Punjab has not seen recent cases of contaminated medicines, the government will not wait for an incident to occur before enforcing strict action.
During the discussion, Dr Singh highlighted the importance of rigorous testing—both of inputs and finished formulations—to prevent any compromise in public health. He noted that maintaining a clean record requires proactive steps, especially when national attention is focused on quality lapses discovered in other states. Pharma units were reminded that adherence to standard manufacturing protocols is crucial in ensuring safety and consumer trust.
Representatives from drug-manufacturing units also raised concerns about central regulatory policies and the operational challenges faced under evolving national drug-control frameworks. Responding to these issues, Dr Singh assured manufacturers that the Punjab government would take up their concerns with the Central Drug Authority to ensure fair consideration of industry needs while maintaining uncompromising quality norms.
To facilitate continuous industry-regulator dialogue, the minister announced the formation of a dedicated advisory council. He encouraged pharma companies to engage actively with the council and contribute suggestions aimed at strengthening the sector. Stressing that the state will follow a “zero-tolerance approach” toward substandard or spurious medicines, he urged units to reinforce systems in line with the expectations placed on them, reports The Times of India.
