India has to maintain global regulatory standards to remain the pharmacy of the world: Ex DCGI
Former Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr G N Singh, who is now the Advisor to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was leading an outreach programme in Gujarat for pharmaceutical companies to set up units of the Bulk Drug Pharma Park coming up in Lalitpur district. He spoke to The Indian Express on the sidelines of the country's need to maintain global scientific standards and regulation.
Dr Singh also served as the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) for six years till 2018, and as the Founder-Director of the Indian Pharmacopeia Commission (IPC). Excerpts from the interview:
How do you see the development and future of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in India?
India wants to become self reliant in manufacturing and innovation in bulk drugs. That is why the Prime Minister, over the last few years, has given special emphasis on developing pharma parks across the country. In this context, the UP Chief Minister decided to develop a bulk drug park in his state. And we want to make sure that if any international incident happens, since the geopolitical situation is in a troublesome phase, then we can be self-reliant. In such cases, India has to be ready to address issues like healthcare. We (India) are known as the pharmacy of the world since we supply medicines to more than 200 countries. So we have to see that the continuity of supply of medicines remains undisturbed.
When you talk about the geopolitical situation, are you referring to the excessive imports of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from China?
Majority of our APIs are being imported from China. It is the thinking of experts at the highest level that India has to be fully self-reliant. We are, but due to cost prohibition, we were lacking in API production. Now with bulk drug parks coming up, the cost of production will also come down and we will become competitive in the international market and hopefully begin supplying APIs to many others, especially Europe and other developed markets. We will capture those markets based on quality, prices and uninterrupted supply.
There have been complaints coming in from many nations, including Africa and Europe and ones flagged by the USFDA, regarding the quality of drugs going out from India. How do you see this in context of the way 'made-in-India' medicines are perceived abroad?
As scientific systems are developing, the regulatory landscape is also changing. We are continuously adjusting the regulatory system so that the regulator meets the expectations of scientific rigour and the people. Safety, efficacy and quality of medicines is of paramount importance to the regulator and to end users everywhere. So, we want to make a harmonised approach so none of the issues lag behind the science requirements. Both the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and the Indian Pharmacopeia (IP), which is the book of standards for drugs, are continously being upgraded to address these issues.
So, does the Indian drug regulator need more teeth? Is stricter regulation required today?
The requirement is to strengthen the drug regulatory system in terms of science, in terms of manpower, in terms of the execution of mechanism and the government must be thinking on those lines because it is aware of these issues. If we want to remain the pharmacy of the world we need to maintain the standards of global science and regulation.
The most recent debate is regarding generic drugs. There have been problems highlighted with regards to bioequivalence studies and doctors are pushing back against compulsorily prescribing them. How do you see this issue?
It is only a myth. These issues have been raised multiple times and as a scientist, I am of the firm opinion that the book of standards is the same for branded, branded-generic or generic medication.
If you take the Indian, US and UK Pharmacopeias, they are not ascribing different standards. They are all the same — right from manufacturing systems, quality control and testing before batches reach the market.
So, I don't agree that generic drugs are in any way less than the branded medicines and it is just a myth with no basis in scientific parameters. They are almost equal in my opinion and I had made it very clear on various forums, including international ones, not just as a former drug regulator of this country, but also as the head of the Indian Pharmacopeia Commission. I appeal to the doctors and to the people to accept generic medicines as ones at par with the branded ones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
The post-30 skin plot twist: When pores zoom in before you do
One minute, you're being carded at bars. The next, someone gently points you toward the 'anti-aging' aisle while you're just trying to buy sunscreen. What happened? You hit 30 and your skin decided it's time for a plot twist. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Here's the thing: your skin doesn't throw a tantrum when you turn 30. It simply starts… changing. Quietly. Subtly. Until one fine day you wonder why your glow seems to be on sabbatical, your pores are suddenly visible from space, and your once supple cheeks are now playing a dry desert theme. This isn't a crisis. But it is a shift and no one talks about it until you're deep into Google searches like 'Why does my face look tired even after 8 hours of sleep?' Let's talk about what's really going on and how both men and women can navigate this sneaky stage with a mix of science, common sense and the discipline of simple habits. Texture: When smooth becomes sandpaper-ish In your 20s, your skin's renewal cycle is like a caffeinated intern on steroids ; fast, effective, and slightly smug. But post-30, that intern takes a break. Cell turnover slows, dead skin hangs around like an overstaying houseguest, and your face loses its bounce. Fix it gently: • Use a mild AHA exfoliant (like lactic or glycolic acid) 2–3 times a week. No need to scrub like you're trying to remove old paint. • Diet alert: Too much sugar and ultra-processed food dull your glow from within. Add in foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and green veggies and watch your skin perk up. Hydration: MIA and unbothered Remember when your skin looked dewy just because you existed? Yeah, that was your natural hyaluronic acid at its peak. Now, production dips (especially for women due to fluctuating estrogen), and your face starts feeling tighter than your jeans after Diwali. Simple swaps: • Layer a hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin, then seal it with a good moisturizer (look for ceramides or peptides). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now • Cut down on caffeine and late-night junk, which both dehydrate skin faster than a desert wind. • And no, fancy coconut water alone won't save you but any means of hydration is a start and the simpler it is the more consistent it's likely to be for sure. Resilience: The slow fade In your 20s, a zit would show up and leave like an uninvited guest. Post-30? That zit settles in, redecorates, and leaves behind a pigmented souvenir. Healing slows, inflammation lingers, and for women, hormonal shifts can trigger adult in Indian skin pigmentation is the subtlest and first sign of aging. Smart moves: • Introduce a retinoid or bakuchiol a few nights a week. It is your skin's personal trainer. • Don't pick. Ever. Picking now equals scars later. • Eat clean-ish. Greasy, high-glycemic foods are skin saboteurs, not comfort food heroes and that once in a while is not three times a week! Stress, hormones, and the 'Why do i look older than i feel?' phenomenon Cortisol, the stress hormone goes rogue in your 30s. It messes with your skin barrier, triggers breakouts, and even slows healing. Combine that with poor sleep, erratic schedules, and (for women) hormonal flux around cycles or perimenopause and boom, the skin starts to sulk. Quick wins: • Try mindful breathing for 3 minutes a day. It sounds basic, but it's backed by neuroscience. • Prioritise sleep. Not 'just one more episode' sleep. Real sleep. • And yes, regular movement (even dancing in your kitchen) increases circulation and gives your face that natural flush and glow. So exercise! Your skin hasn't betrayed you—it's evolving This post-30 phase isn't about panic. It's about pivoting. Your skin isn't failing. it's just asking for a little more effort, a little less neglect, and definitely less sugar. Hydrate smartly, exfoliate gently, eat like you love your cells, and wear sunscreen like your future self is watching. Because here's the truth: the glow is still there. It just doesn't show up uninvited anymore. You've got to roll out the red carpet. Dr. Aparna Santhanam
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Meet Indian genius who scored 720/720 in NEET-UG, cracked IIT-JEE with 99.9 percentile, studied only 4 hours a day with no fixed routine, he is...
Meet Indian genius who scored 720/720 in NEET-UG, cracked IIT-JEE with 99.9 percentile, studied only 4 hours a day with no fixed routine, he is... Getting into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) is a dream for many students in India. The entrance exams, JEE Main and JEE Advanced are among the toughest in the world. At the same time, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the main path to becoming a doctor in India. While most students focus on just one of these, Mrinal Kutteri managed to clear both. Mrinal comes from Hyderabad and lives with his parents, younger brother, and grandparents. His family originally hails from Kerala, and interestingly, no one in his close family is a doctor but his interest in science began early. In classes 8 and 9, he started enjoying biology and chemistry. By the time he entered class 11, he had set his goal to prepare for NEET. In a 2021 interview with India Today , Mrinal shared that he first thought about becoming an army doctor because he wanted to combine medicine and adventure. However, over time, his focus shifted more toward the medical field alone. He also said that seeing doctors fight the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him even more to choose this path. How Mrinal Kutteri balanced studies during the pandemic When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to shut down, students across the country had to switch from classroom learning to online classes. This sudden change affected many, but Mrinal Kutteri welcomed it at first. Mrinal shared that in the beginning, he actually enjoyed the lockdown. However, this shift soon affected his academic performance, and he realized he needed to get back on track. Though it took some time at the beginning, he eventually got into a better routine. Interestingly, Mrinal didn't follow a strict study timetable like many other toppers. He admitted that he liked a flexible approach to learning. According to him, trying to stick to a tough schedule that he couldn't follow would only lead to stress and waste time. Instead, he chose to study in a way that suited him best, based on his energy and interest levels each day. Mrinal Kutteri's study approach that led to NEET AIR 1 In a 2021 interview with India Today , NEET topper Mrinal Kutteri shared how he followed a unique and stress-free way of studying. Instead of having a strict daily timetable, he chose a flexible method. Each day, he would set a small goal for himself, and how he completed it was entirely up to him. 'There were many days when I couldn't complete what I planned,' Mrinal admitted, 'but I didn't feel discouraged. I was okay with that, and I think that really helped me stay calm and focused.' His study routine changed often. Some days, he was very productive, while on others, he found it hard to study at all. On average, Mrinal studied for about four hours a day, and on his best days, he went up to five hours, but never more than that. Contrary to the notion that students must sacrifice hobbies during intense exam preparation, Mrinal ensured a balance between academics and leisure. He enjoyed binge-watching comedy shows on Netflix and Prime, using entertainment as a means of relaxation and motivation. Even for other tough exams like KVPY and JEE Main in Class 12, he didn't put in extra hours beyond his NEET prep. Still, he managed to score an amazing 99.9 percentile in JEE Main. But his biggest success came with NEET 2021, where he achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, securing All India Rank 1.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Explore MBBS, global higher education opportunities at seminar on Sunday
Pune: Students aspiring for careers in medicine or aiming to pursue higher education abroad can explore their options at a seminar organised by The Times of India at Dr Shamrao Kalmadi Junior College Auditorium in Erandwane on Sunday. This event offers practical guidance on both Indian MBBS admissions and opportunities for bachelor's and master's programmes in the US and Germany. The seminar, open to students and parents, will feature two informative sessions led by expert Tushar Deoras, a former BARC scientist, and chairman of Astute Academy. He has 30 years of experience guiding students toward affordable, quality education. The second session will take students through on securing admission to top-ranked universities abroad. The first session called 'Indian & International MBBS Admissions' will be held between 10.30am and 12.30pm. It will focus on the admission process, particularly for students with NEET scores as low as 200. It will talk about merit-based admissions without donations or management quotas and explain how students can secure seats in private colleges by paying govt-mandated fees. The session will also introduce affordable medical education pathways to the US via structured partnerships between Indian and American universities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Students who want to pursue a bachelor's and master's degree in the US and Germany will have a session between 12.30pm and 2pm on securing admission to top-ranked universities, including Ivy League institutions like Harvard, MIT, Yale, Stanford, and Germany's renowned technical universities. This session will be valuable for those exploring 100% scholarships in the US and tuition-free programmes in Germany. The talk will walk attendees through every step of the application process, from academic criteria and language requirements to financial planning and visa documentation. Students are encouraged to register in advance using the QR code provided and arrive on time. Entry is open for both sessions, and attendees are welcome to participate in one or both, depending on their interests. For aspiring doctors and global scholars, this seminar could be a crucial step in making an informed, future-ready education choices. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
