Maharashtra FDA proposes autonomous training institute for compliance awareness

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has proposed to set up an autonomous training institute that will help spread greater awareness in the industry for compliance, a move that suggests the regulator is seeking a change of image to that of a facilitator. The proposal will be submitted to Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (Yashada) in Pune, which will forward its recommendations to the state government, state FDA commissioner Harshdeep Kamble told ET.

“This is a skill development initiative and should help the local industry adhere to the globally followed practices,” Kamble said.

The common issue cited by those on the wrong side of the law is unawareness or ignorance of the legal implications. If the training is imparted, the government will be better armed to proceed against the violators, he said. A large number of drug manufacturing units in the state are under regulatory scrutiny of the US FDA for violation of good manufacturing practices. If the approvals for the training institute are obtained, the proposed institute will start offering courses from next year. Kamble said about 50,000 drug units including chemist shops and 11 lakh hotels can benefit from the institute that is proposed to be housed in the FDA Mumbai headquarters.

The move is in line with the stated objective of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to develop skilled manpower in the state.