At present good manufacturing practice (GMP) certificates are issued by authorities on a state by state basis. However, following recent World Health Organisation (WHO) comments about the lack of uniformity, the country has decided to centralise the accreditation process.
The DCGI said that under the new scheme the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will be responsible for issuing all GMP certificates, following appropriate facility inspections.
The body will also be the sole issuer of export approvals for drugs made in the country, which is also likely to affect the country’s contract manufacturing sector.