By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the building and the office of the newly created FDA (Food Safety and Drug Administration Department) at Danda Lakhond, here, today. He also inaugurated and inspected the State Drug Testing Laboratory on this occasion.
Addressing those present, the Chief Minister said that today was a very important day for the pharma sector of the state. A major initiative is being taken towards strengthening the drug control regime and State Drug Testing Laboratory. While the building has been constructed at the cost of Rs 6.56 crore, the State Drug Testing Laboratory has been set up at the cost of Rs 13.22 crores. The laboratory would be useful in checking the quality of drug samples. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment keeping in mind the current requirements, the CM observed.
The Chief Minister reminded that it is the endeavour of the State Government to give maximum impetus to the manufacture of medicines in the state in view of the possibilities of expansion in this field. Many projects and schemes have been launched in this regard. As a result, the units of drug manufacturing are continuously increasing in the state. About 300 pharmaceutical companies are already operating in the state. All these units are providing direct and indirect employment to thousands of people. Dhami said that Uttarakhand has many natural resources and it is also the land of AYUSH, Yoga, religion and culture. The government is committed to developing the state as a land of industries. All possible help would be given by the state government to the pharmaceutical companies. In 2025, when Uttarakhand would be celebrating the silver jubilee of its founding, the pharma sector would have a significant contribution to make.
Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat said that continuous efforts are being made to promote pharmaceutical companies in Uttarakhand. An online process has been adopted to ensure that pharmaceutical companies do not face any problem in getting licences. A target had been set to make the state tuberculosis free by 2024. Uttarakhand is one of the best states in blood donation and institutional delivery.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’, Secretary, Health, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, Director General, Health (in-charge), Dr Vinita Shah, Principal, Doon Medical College, Dr Ashutosh Sayana, Drug Controller Tajbir Singh, Managing Director, ECMS Group, Sandeep Jain and RK Jain were among those present.
