DCGI to conduct Special Public Hearing every month; Details

As per the order, a special hearing will be conducted at the DCGI Office every month. Every second and the fourth Wednesday, from 3 in the evening has been designated for hearing all the issues and queries.

New Delhi: Through a recent order, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr V G Somani has decided to conduct Special Public Hearing for two days every month from the year 2020. These hearings will be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month and meant for common public, companies and other stakeholders.

Various related issues will be taken and act upon through the officers of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO).

The order dated January 3, 2020, was sent to all the concerned stakeholders and a copy of it was sent to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and others. As per the order, a special hearing will be conducted at the DCGI Office every month. Every second and the fourth Wednesday, from 3 in the evening has been designated for hearing all the issues and queries. The order read;

"DCGI will attend the Special Public hearing to address various issues/ queries of applicant/visitors etc. and to act upon the inputs through the Officers/ Staff of CDSCO for the furtherance of matter. In this regard, it has been decided to conduct Special Public Hearing on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, from 3:00 PM onwards at DCGI Office."

Acting as the appellate authority in case of any dispute regarding the quality of drugs, DCGI's decision to address the issues directly in the presence of Dr Somani will indeed come as a relief for the stakeholders. Frequent consultation with stakeholders during the hearing, will not only assist in dealing with a large number of cases but will continuously strengthen the regulatory system for ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices.