Maharshtra FDA Uses Internet to Monitor Pharmacies

Following Gujarat’s example, the Maharashta Food and Drug Administration (Maha FDA) launched an online licensing process for retail pharmacists, the first of its kind in the state.

Mumbai
by d ha rm e sh via Flickr.

Following Gujarat’s example, the Maharashta Food and Drug Administration (Maha FDA) launched an online licensing process for retail pharmacists, the first of its kind in the state.

“Maharashtra FDA has adopted the similar features of Gujarat FDCA and has already started the facility from the month of December itself, said O Sadhwani joint commissioner Maha FDA, adding that the use of the internet will allow the FDA to provide pharmacists with quick access to drugs withdrawn from the market, as well as keep them informed of license renewals, reports India’s Pharmabiz.

Maharastra is the second most populous Indian state, as well as the wealthiest. Mumbai, the capital city of the state, is India’s largest city and the financial capital of the nation.

“The database has already started and the data entry made by the Drug Inspectors across Maharashtra, from Mumbai and Thane should be well edited,” he said adding that the facility will also be used to license drug manufacturers and for drug inspectors to monitor drug quality and authenticity. This web-based software links to all the district offices and will be used to monitor and control pharmacists and pharmaceuticals across the state.

In addition to this new technology, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has started sending SMS alerts to chemists.