Govt vigilant about quality of medicines; robust system is in place: Nadda

New Delhi, Jul 26 (PTI) The government on Friday asserted that a robust system for examination of medicines is in place, and that action has been taken with respect to concerns raised over the quality of some cough syrups exported to Africa.

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers J P Nadda told the Lok Sabha that the government is vigilant about the quality of medicines and will ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

He was responding to a query by Congress member Gaurav Gogoi about concerns over some cough syrups that were exported to Africa.

There is a robust system of examination of medicines in place, the minister said during the Question Hour and emphasised that the world’s most effective and cheapest medicines are produced in India.

Speaker Om Birla said there is a demand for medicines from India in all the countries he had been to as he has asked the government to increase exports of the medicines globally.

To a query on whether the government has taken note of certain comments of the Department of Pharmaceuticals against the reputation of small drugmakers, Nadda said a complaint was received against an Assistant Section Officer for sending an email to pharma associations using language that is not officially proper.

“Even though the communication was informal, a show-cause notice was issued to the concerned officer. The officer has apologised for the same.Nevertheless, competent authority has rejected the reply and initiated departmental proceedings against the erring officer,” the minister said.

The Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Scheme (PTUAS) is aimed at helping the pharmaceutical industry align its production process with best global standards, he said adding more than 100 applications have been received since the application window was opened from April 11, 2024.

“Seven applications have been approved and all the seven are MSMEs,” he said.