SHRESTH Initiative for Better Drug Quality

SHRESTH Initiative Launched to Enhance Drug Quality

Why in the News ?

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH) in New Delhi, a CDSCO-led initiative aimed at improving state drug regulatory authorities, ensuring medicine safety, quality, and efficacy through a data-driven benchmarking framework.

SHRESTH Initiative for Better Drug Quality

Launch and Objectives of SHRESTH Initiative:

  • Launched by: Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava in New Delhi.
  • Objective: Strengthen drug safety and quality in India by improving the performance of state drug regulatory authorities.
  • Significance: First-of-its-kind national benchmarking system for state regulators.
  • Approach:

    • Transparent and data-driven framework.
    • Recognition of best practices among states and UTs.
    • Focus on continuous improvement in drug manufacturing and distribution oversight.
  • Minister’s Statement:

    • Medicine safety, quality, and efficacy are foundational to public health.
    • Called for Centre–State collaboration to uphold high regulatory standards.

Impact and Future Roadmap:

  • Expected Outcomes:

    • Uniform enforcement of drug quality standards across states.
    • Increased accountability and transparency in regulatory performance.
    • Improved public trust in medicines manufactured and distributed in India.
  • Best Practices Sharing: States with exemplary performance will act as models for others.
  • Technological Integration: Future adoption of digital monitoring tools for real-time compliance checks.
  • Long-Term Vision:

    • Position India as a global leader in safe pharmaceutical production.
    • Ensure zero tolerance towards substandard or counterfeit medicines.

About SHRESTH and CDSCO:

●      SHRESTH: State Health Regulatory Excellence Index.

●      Proposed by: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

●      Purpose:

○       Evaluate and rank state drug regulatory systems.

○       Identify gaps and provide support for capacity building.

●      CDSCO’s Role:

○       Acts as the national drug regulatory authority of India.

○       Oversees drug approval, clinical trials, quality control, and licensing.

●      Relevance to Governance:

○       Aligns with National Health Policy goals.

○       Enhances India’s pharmaceutical credibility globally.