New Delhi, Dec 28 (KNN) In a risk-based approach, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) along with state drugs control administrations has started conducting joint inspection of identified drug manufacturing units, the Union health ministry announced on Tuesday.

The joint inspections are being conducted all over the country as per the standard operating procedures and a committee of two joint drugs controllers has been set up at CDSCO to monitor the process of inspection, reporting and subsequent action so as to ensure compliance to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its rules.

According to the ministry this will ensure high standards of quality compliance with respect to drugs manufactured in the country.

Prior to carrying out of inspections, an action plan for a nationwide inspection of manufacturing units which are identified to be at the risk of manufacturing Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), adulterated or spurious drugs was made.

This move follows after a detailed inspection at the drug manufacturing unit of Maiden Pharmaceuticals in Haryana was found to have several violations in the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

World Health Organisation (WHO) named this drugmaker as a supplier of four contaminated cough syrups that purportedly killed nearly 70 kids in Gambia.  (KNN Bureau)