Purpose of Drugs Enquiry Committee
The Drugs Enquiry Committee, chaired by Colonel R.N. Chopra, was the first committee established to investigate the pharmaceutical industry in India.
Objectives
Examine the quality of drugs available in the market.
Study the extent of spurious and adulterated drugs.
Suggest measures to regulate drug manufacturing and distribution.
Findings
The market was flooded with adulterated, substandard, and spurious drugs.
There was no legislation to control the quality of medicines in India.
The absence of proper testing facilities and trained professionals worsened the situation.
Recommendations
Enactment of comprehensive laws to regulate the pharmaceutical industry.
Establishment of drug testing laboratories to ensure quality control.
Creation of a licensing system for manufacturing and sale of drugs.
Formation of a Central Drug Control Authority.
Outcome
Based on this committee’s recommendations, the Drugs Act of 1940 was enacted to regulate drug import, manufacture, and sale.
It later evolved into the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, with amendments for improved safety and quality control.