November 22: In a hard-hitting presentation at PAMDAL's annual general meeting, Maharashtra Food and Drug Commissioner AK Lakhina, stressed the need to put quality consciousness in food and drugs as a priority item on the political agenda.Lakhina pointed out several lacunae in current legislation on drug recall procedures, sale of physicians samples and stressed the need for tremendous reforms in storage and distribution of drugs. "Forty per cent of drugs are expected to be kept in a cool and dry place, failing which it could lead to problems in drug potency. Pharmacies need to be classified on the basis of facilities offered," he said. He sought the creation of a separate enactment on the regulation of medical devices.

Lakhina also spelt out various measures initiated by the FDA to meet the challenges of the future including an attempt towards financial self-reliance, association with domestic and foreign FDAs and a shift to management by exception.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.