Health Minister discussed Indian health system & scenarios at Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
(30th June, 2014); Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan held a four hour long meeting with top experts at the world famous Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at Atlanta on 28th June.
(1st June, 2014); Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, has asked for thorough streamlining of systems in the distribution of free generic drugs to government health institutions at all levels throughout the country. The Free Drug Programme’s formal launch would be preceded by working out all logistical details with respect to procurement and distribution in consultation with the state governments.
(28th Apr, 2014); In their last meeting, Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) raised the issue of wide variation in the quality of generic drugs manufactured in the country by small scale sector. The generic medicines of lower quality have not been found effective in patients.
Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) manufacturers are invited to present their proposal for approval of the safety and efficacy of permitted for manufacture for sale in the country without due approval from office of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
On thursday, 27th march 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) presented official certification to India for its ‘Polio Free’ status. India is among other countries in its South East Asian region which have been certified as being free of the wild polio virus. Ghulam Nabi Azad, health minister of India, received the official certificate from WHO. 
The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (D&C rules) were amended vide Drugs and Cosmetics (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2013 published under Gazette notification G.S.R. 588(E) dated 30.08.2013 regarding the inclusion of Schedule H1 under the D&C rules containing certain antibiotics, anti-TB drugs and habit forming drugs. The notification states that these rules will come into force after six months of their publication in the official Gazette i.e. from 1st March, 2014
Indian health ministry revoked the ban from Analgin, potent analgesic and antipyretic. Last year in June 2013, government issued a ban on manufacturing and selling of analgin in country because it is involved in risk to human beings and whereas safer alternatives of analgin are available. After revoking ban from pioglitazone, this is the second time when ministry has lifted ban from a drug.
The expert committee submitted report to ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India on amendment of relevant rules in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 to include stem cells and other cell based products (SCCPs) as New Drugs.
