Govt working on US-style authority for drug control

8220;The punishment will be stringent and the fines will be handed to those who suffer the brunt of the ill deeds,8221; said a Ministry official.

The DRAI will have the freedom and responsibility to control the quality of drugs in India, a task at present managed by the state drug authorities. 8220;It will be an autonomous body, a single licensing authority with a five member board. The bill is ready and will be submitted in this session,8221; said Dr M Venkateshwarulu, Drugs Controller General of India DCGI.

Meanwhile, officials have visited the US to study the workings of the FDA. 8220;The multiple licensing authority with the states here have made it easy for people to get involved in manufacture of spurious drugs. There are state to state variations and their interpretations. With this we are going to have one law that will be implemented in the whole country,8221; said another Ministry official.