Health Ministry unveils SHRESTH for state drug regulation

Health Ministry Unveils SHRESTH for State Drug Regulation

The Union Health Ministry has taken a significant step towards ensuring the quality and safety of drugs in the country by launching SHRESTH (State Health Regulatory Excellence Index), a CDSCO-led index to benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems. This new initiative aims to promote uniform standards, capacity building, and best practice sharing among states, ultimately leading to improved public health outcomes.

SHRESTH is a comprehensive index that assesses the manufacturing and distribution states on 23-27 parameters, including infrastructure, human resources, regulations, and enforcement. This holistic approach will enable states to identify areas of improvement and take corrective measures to enhance their drug regulatory systems.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava launched SHRESTH at a recent event, emphasizing the importance of a robust drug regulatory system in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines. “SHRESTH is a significant step towards strengthening our drug regulatory systems, which are critical to ensuring the health and well-being of our citizens,” she said.

The development of SHRESTH is a response to the growing concern over the quality of drugs in the country. In recent years, there have been several instances of substandard and spurious drugs making it to the market, posing serious health risks to patients. The CDSCO has been working towards strengthening the drug regulatory system, and SHRESTH is a key initiative in this direction.

Key Features of SHRESTH

SHRESTH is a data-driven index that assesses the performance of states on various parameters related to drug regulation. Some of the key features of SHRESTH include:

1. Infrastructure: The index assesses the physical infrastructure of drug regulatory authorities, including the availability of necessary equipment, transportation, and communication facilities.
2. Human Resources: SHRESTH evaluates the quality and quantity of human resources available with drug regulatory authorities, including the expertise and training of personnel.
3. Regulations: The index examines the regulatory frameworks and policies in place for drug regulation, including the availability of clear guidelines and procedures.
4. Enforcement: SHRESTH assesses the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to conduct inspections, seizures, and prosecutions.
5. Capacity Building: The index evaluates the capacity building activities undertaken by drug regulatory authorities, including training programs, workshops, and conferences.

Benefits of SHRESTH

SHRESTH is expected to bring several benefits to the drug regulatory system in the country. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Improved Public Health Outcomes: By promoting uniform standards and best practices, SHRESTH is expected to lead to improved public health outcomes, including reduced incidence of drug-related adverse events and improved patient safety.
2. Enhanced Capacity Building: The index will encourage states to invest in capacity building activities, including training programs and infrastructure development, which will help to strengthen their drug regulatory systems.
3. Increased Transparency: SHRESTH will promote transparency in drug regulation by providing a platform for states to disclose their performance and compare themselves with other states.
4. Best Practice Sharing: The index will facilitate best practice sharing among states, enabling them to learn from each other’s experiences and improve their drug regulatory systems.

Conclusion

The launch of SHRESTH is a significant step towards strengthening the drug regulatory system in the country. By promoting uniform standards, capacity building, and best practice sharing, SHRESTH has the potential to improve public health outcomes and ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines. As the CDSCO continues to work towards implementing SHRESTH, it is essential that states take concrete steps to improve their drug regulatory systems and ensure that they are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Source: https://www.refersms.com/health-ministry-unveils-shresth-for-state-drug/