Govt mulls setting up of CGMP facility for yellow fever drugs

According to the health minister, such a facility will help in supplying yellow fever vaccine to African and Latin American countries as well

The government is exploring the feasibility of establishing WHO-approved Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) facility for yellow fever drugs in order to ensure that Indian vaccine manufacturers have global quality standards.

Such a facility will help in supplying yellow fever vaccine to African and Latin American countries as well, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said after inaugurating the first government facility for CGMP compliance for DPT and TT vaccines at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.

He also announced the Zonal Office of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) will start functioning within a week from the Container Corporation of India building in Baddi near hear to facilitate pharma companies and exporters from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana to get their clearances and no objection certificates.

Noting recent advancements in regulatory requirement and introduction of CGMP concept in vaccine manufacturing led to the need for creation of CGMP-compliant infrastructure and processes, Nadda said CRI has been able to create this CGMP-compliant facility with the support of the ministry.

He said the Himachal Pradesh government has agreed to provide land for the Zonal Office of CDSCO at Baddi.

Mr. Nadda also announced that to ensure production of quality medicines, three to four comprehensive workshops will be organised in May in Baddi on ‘Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices’ where top experts from national and international regulators will brief the industry on related issues.

The Health Minister said as part of its expansion plans, CRI is in process of acquiring 128 bighas of land from the Himachal Pradesh government for creation of CGMP compliant facility for manufacturing of therapeutic anti-serums.

The Health Minister also launched the website of CRI on the occasion.

CRI is involved in manufacture and supply of various life-saving therapeutic anti-sera for snake bites, rabies and diphtheria and yellow fever vaccine.