Health Minister JP Nadda Holds Review Meeting with DoP

Minister Nadda reiterated that quality should be a key focus, ensuring all manufacturing plants meet world-class standards within the stipulated time frame.

Union Minister for Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers, JP Nadda, held a review meeting with the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) recently.

In the meeting, Nadda mandated a renewed emphasis on quality, directing that all drug and medical device manufacturing plants be upgraded to world-class standards within three years.

This meeting was held on June 15, attended by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel.

During the meeting, the DoP presented an overview of the pharmaceutical and MedTech sectors, including a detailed presentation on the department's activities, regulatory framework, and implemented schemes.

100-Day Action Plan

Moreover, the Minister emphasized aligning with the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and reviewed the department's five-year agenda and 100-day action plan.

The five-year plan seeks to enhance drug security, achieve self-reliance (Atma Nirbharta) in medical devices, expand the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, and make medicines and treatments more affordable for citizens.

Minister Nadda reiterated that quality should be a key focus, ensuring all manufacturing plants meet world-class standards within the stipulated time frame.

The agenda, announced shortly after Nadda took charge of the ministry, underscores the government's commitment to advancing public health infrastructure and accessibility.

After serving as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for over four years, Nadda has been appointed Union Health Minister. He will also lead the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, which includes the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

This announcement was made on Monday, a day after he took the oath as a cabinet minister in PM Narendra Modi's government.

Nadda, 63, had stepped down from the health ministry in 2019, just before the pandemic, to manage party affairs.

After Nadda's departure, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya became Health Minister. Now, Nadda has superseded Mandaviya to reassume the health portfolio.

In his previous term as Health Minister, JP Nadda launched “Mission Indradhanush,” aimed at vaccinating children by 2020 who were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against seven major diseases including diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B.

The program targeted specific districts with low immunization rates to improve coverage.

Additionally, President Nadda initiated the “Rashtriya Swasthya Swayamsevak Abhiyan,” a health volunteers program designed to prepare health volunteers ahead of a potential third wave of COVID-19.