In response to recent closures affecting 36% of inspected drug manufacturing units nationwide due to non-compliance with Revised Schedule M standards, the Pondicherry Drug Manufacturers Association (PDMA) is set to host a seminar aimed at educating industry stakeholders on the updated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Scheduled for July 13 in the union territory, the seminar seeks to enhance quality control mechanisms and management systems within manufacturing units.
Chairman of the PDMA, N Pramodh, highlighted the seminar’s objective of equipping company staff and industry leaders with essential knowledge to bolster quality standards across units. The one-day event will feature three technical sessions designed to deepen the technical expertise of participants.
The seminar will commence with an inaugural session followed by technical discussions. The first session, “Regulatory Overview of Revised Schedule M and its Implementation,” will be led by G Ramanathan, General Manager of Apex Laboratories. K Selvam, Senior General Manager and Plant Head at Apex Lab in Chennai, will discuss “Compliance of Revised Schedule M in Manufacturing Set-up” during the second session. The third session, focusing on “Features and Challenges in Implementation of Revised Schedule M,” will be delivered by R Raghuram, Quality Control Division Manager at Apex Lab.
E Srinivasan, Secretary of the PDMA, will welcome attendees, with Dr. KM Srinivasan, Deputy Drug Controller of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in Chennai, delivering the inaugural address. Dr. N Ananthakrishnan, Drug Controller of Pondicherry, will grace the event as the guest of honor.
N Pramodh and P Ramesh, President of the PDMA, will address industry challenges specific to the union territory, while Treasurer D Subrahmaniam will propose the vote of thanks.
Speaking on the significance of the seminar, P Ramesh emphasized the critical need for MSME sector entrepreneurs in Pondicherry to grasp the amendments in GMP, expressing optimism that the seminar would prompt necessary upgrades in manufacturing facilities to meet central regulatory standards.
N Pramodh added that the seminar, organized in collaboration with the drug control department, anticipates participation from representatives of all 50 companies in attendance. Organizers expect over 300 participants from Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanem regions to attend the workshop, underscoring its importance in enhancing industry compliance and operational excellence.