The Indian Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad has announced whistle blower policy to attract involvement of public to provide information on any kind of unlawful activity in the manufacture of drugs.
Replying to the debate on working of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in Rajya Sabha the Minister also apprised the members of Government’s intention to bring Drugs and Cosmetic Amendment Bill for creating Central Drug Authority. “This will pave the way for making the regulatory mechanism a robust one,” the Minister said.
“Recently, in US, many people lost their sense of smell using Zicam nasal spray, a cold remedy they thought would be safer than other medicines because it was sold as natural/herbs/homeopathic” said Dr. Anil Singhal, MD. “This incidence in US highlighted a need for more stringent checks on pharmaceutical products. This initiative by Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is welcomed to stop spurious drugs and medicines.”
Source: Press Information Bureau, India