To meet the current challenges of increased demand of hand sanitisers in the country in view of coronavirus pandemic, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed the State drugs controllers to expedite the licensing of manufacturers of such products and monitor quality standards of the products as per the relevant law.
Amid CV scare in India, the hand sanitising gels which are licensed under drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 is vanishing from the market.
A few days ago, the Government had notified masks (2plyand 3ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitisers under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate their production, quality, distribution and logistics.
"In light of existing circumstances arising out of coronavirus outbreak, it is required that the regulatory activities should be intensified to keep strict vigil in the matter so that the people can be protected from malpractices, said DCGI in a letter to State drug authorities on March 17. The States have also been asked to submit the list of manufacturers who are manufacturing hand sanitisers under their jurisdiction along with product details and further exercise strict vigil and regulatory oversight on manufacturing and distribution of such products. Similarly, state drugs controllers have also been directed to expedite the licensing process for manufacturers of hand sanitizers by taking proactive measures to meet the present challenges of increased demand of such product in the country.
The DCGI has further asked all zonal and sub zonal offices of CDSCO to coordinate with state and Union territory drugs control authorities in the matter.
On their part, scientists from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) based in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh have developed a herbal hand sanitizer which is based on the natural flavours, active tea constituents and alcohol content in this hand-sanitiser as per the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Sanjay Kumar, IHBT Director said that the technology has been transferred to a private unit through a pact inked on Tuesday between the CSIR lab and A B Scientific Solutions at the Himalayan State.
As per the agreement, CSIR-IHBT will transfer its expertise for making hand sanitizers and other disinfectants to the private firm which will be setting up a unit at the State itself. It will market hand sanitizers and other disinfectants in all the major cities across the country.