Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today reviewed the supply position of essential drugs across the Valley with the functionaries of Drugs and Food Control Organization (DFCO) at a meeting held here under his chairmanship.Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Ms Asiea Naqash was also present in the meeting.It was informed in the meeting that to ensure availability of drugs in various hospitals, the medicines worth Rs 19 crore were procured in the month of July and August to meet the requirements and adequate supply of medicines is available with all the hospitals. It was also informed that the supply position is being monitored regularly on day-to-day basis and being made available as per the demand. The meeting also reviewed the overall functioning of Drugs and Food Control Organization and measures initiated to improve its efficiency.
It was informed that the organizaiton has done outsourcing of food testing facilities by engaging NABL Labs empanelled by FSSAL and outsourcing of supervisory vehicles for carrying out raids and supervisory checks. The process for procuring Mobile Drug\Food Testing Vans to address the urgent needs has also been initiated.Funds have been allocated for procuring various articles for undertaking drugs and food tests and meeting expenditure on account of stationary & printing and construction of a modern training auditorium to carryout regular updating of regulatory authorities.As a long term measures the establishment of Food Laboratories at entry level i.e Lakhanpur and Lower Munda were also discussed in detail and stressed was laid to strengthen and up gradation of existing Drug and Food laboratories in the State. In order to monitor the complaints on day to day basis the proposal was floated for the creation of Legal Cell, the meeting was apprised.
It was further informed that in the financial year 2015-2016, as many as 466 drug licenses were suspended and 293 licenses were cancelled for violation of various provisions of law. Meanwhile, 25062 inspections were conducted across the State in the financial year 2015-2016 and the value of seizure was over Rs 50 lakh. To bring transparency in issuing drug licenses, the organization has stopped manual license interference and started online service.The Ministers directed the functionaries of the Organization to constitute a 3-member committee to look into and implementation of commitments made on the floor of the Legislative Assembly during the Budget session-2016. The Committee will also have the mandate to create greater awareness among general public by holding seminars in different parts of the State to highlight the drug menace, quality drugs and issues related to the food adulteration. They also directed to ensure creation and activation of vigilance wing that will keep regular check on unethical activities by unscrupulous elements in the market.