Keeping a check on sterility of pharma products

The DCA, Telangana now will be able to check quality of injectables, injections, intravenous fluids, ophthalmic medicines and medical devices in addition to earlier chemical examination of pharmaceutical products that it was undertaking

In a major addition to the Quality Control Wing of the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), a Microbiology Laboratory was inaugurated by the Health Minister C Laxma Reddy on Thursday. Rajeshwar Tiwari, Health Secretary was also present at the inauguration.

The lab comes with facilities for testing of injectables, IV fluids, ophthalmic preparations and medical devices. Sterility is a vital factor in products which come in direct contact with blood and poor quality of the same can be fatal. Thus, the presence of a Microbiology laboratory in the Government sector will help to ensure that bacterial and fungal contamination. The sterility testing will critically ensure that sterilised pharmaceutical products are free from contamination of microorganisms.

This Microbiology laboratory is a first-of-its-kind in the Government sector in South India. In the past, all such samples were being sent to Central Drug laboratory, Kolkata for testing. The design and layout are as per WHO guidelines and standards and the laboratory is designed in a manner to avoid environmental contamination. It has interlocking of doors, dynamic passing system and panelling to prevent exposure.

It is designed to maintain uniflow. Epoxy flooring prevents microbial contamination of floors. The DCA, Telangana now will be able to check quality of injectables, injections, intravenous fluids, ophthalmic medicines and medical devices in addition to earlier chemical examination of pharmaceutical products that it was undertaking. This will definitely ensure better quality pharmaceutical products for use of public in the State.