The government on Thursday introduced in the Rajya Sabha a Bill for the creation of the Central Drug Authority (CDA),a 19-member regulatory body which would have powers to oversee clinical trials,any violations in which could result in a penalty of up to Rs 30 lakh and imprisonment of up to 10 years. The CDA will replace the existing Central Drugs Standards Control Authority. The Bill also aims to bring critical drugs under a central licencing regime.
