The All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation (AIDCOC) is set to commemorate its 30th anniversary on November 23, 2024. This landmark occasion celebrates three decades of commitment to drug regulation and the safeguarding of public health and will be held in Bengaluru. Attendees will include Indian leaders, policy figures, and professionals from the pharmaceutical industry.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Health Minister of Karnataka, will be the event’s chief guest, highlighting its significance. The gathering will feature notable figures from the pharmaceutical realm, regulatory sectors, and healthcare institutions, all celebrating AIDCOC’s achievements in drug control.
The event’s theme, “Protecting Public Health: Enhancing Patient Safety through Consumer-Centric Regulations,” will bring to light crucial challenges within India’s pharmaceutical landscape. The focus will be on reinforcing consumer-focused regulations that ensure patient safety, innovative approaches to drug safety, addressing counterfeit drugs, and building public confidence through robust regulatory practices.
Esteemed speakers in pharmaceutical regulation will deliver keynote speeches, while panel discussions will unite industry leaders and experts to provide insights on India’s drug safety future. A pivotal discussion titled “Enhancing Patient Safety through Consumer-Centric Regulations” will feature leading health and drug regulation experts, analyzing strategies to secure patient welfare amid evolving healthcare challenges.
Moderated by Dr. Veer Raju, the first panel session will feature panelists such as Dr. PBN, former DCG(I); Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; Dr. S. Umesh, Karnataka Drugs Controller; and Prof. Bejon Kumar Misra, a consumer rights and public health advocate.
This discourse will emphasize the need for strong healthcare regulations prioritizing patient needs, ensuring safety and quality healthcare access. Panelists will share insights on collaborative efforts among consumers, providers, and regulatory bodies to confront new health threats.
The second panel session, titled “Strategies to Combat Spurious Drugs,” will tackle the increasing threat of counterfeit medications. Moderated by Lakshmi Prasanna, an expert in drug regulatory affairs, it will focus on boosting consumer awareness and industry accountability.
Panelists will include S.W. Deshpande, Chief Advisor to ADCOC, discussing legal and regulatory measures against counterfeit drugs. Dr. Jagashetty, former Karnataka Drugs Controller, will share state-level responses to the issue. Sushant Mahapatra, Advocate at the Supreme Court and partner at Mace Corporate Associates, and P. Ramesh, Deputy Drugs Controller in Bengaluru, will argue for stronger enforcement and legal measures.
The panel will address the critical need for reliable, effective medications, focusing on tougher enforcement measures, enhanced consumer knowledge, and stringent regulations for pharmaceutical firms.
The silver jubilee occasion offers a platform for experts, advocates, and policymakers to examine today’s pressing public health issues. These discussions will continue to inform the development of consumer-focused regulations that protect patient safety and public health moving forward.
AIDCOC’s Honorary Director General, Ravi Uday Bhaskar, remarked, “AIDCOC’s 30th anniversary highlights a commitment to elevating public health standards, solidifying the Confederation’s role as a leader in effective drug regulation nationwide. This event underscores AIDCOC’s pivotal influence over India’s drug control framework during the past three decades.”
Established under the 1860 Societies Registration Act, AIDCOC represents drug control officers across India. The Confederation is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of drug regulatory processes, ensuring the maintenance of public health safety in the dynamic Indian pharmaceutical sector.