In a significant stride towards bolstering its public health infrastructure and ensuring the quality of medicines, the Government of Nagaland inaugurated the Nagaland State Drugs Testing Laboratory (NSDTL) in Kohima on April 29th. This crucial facility addresses a long-standing need in the state, aiming to effectively curb the distribution of substandard medicines and significantly enhance the efficiency of drug regulation with In-house Drug Testing Lab to Combat Substandard Medicines.
The state-of-the-art laboratory was officially launched by Anoop Khinchi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, marking a pivotal moment for healthcare in Nagaland. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr Mereninla Senlem, Director and Head of Department, alongside senior officials from the Directorate and various districts.
Esteemed dignitaries including G Koteshwar Rao, National President of the Drugs Control Officer (India) Welfare Association (DCOIWA), Prof Narender Ahooja, former Drugs Controller of Haryana, and Rajender Harna, former Deputy Drugs Controller, Haryana, also attended the inaugural event, highlighting the national significance of this development.
The establishment of the Nagaland State Drugs Testing Laboratory was made possible through funding under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Strengthening of State Drugs Testing Laboratory (SSDRS),” with a total investment of ₹12.94 crore. This funding facilitated the construction of the modern Drugs Control Administration Office-cum-Laboratory building and the procurement of essential, high-end pharmaceutical testing equipment.
Currently equipped to analyse up to 1,000 drug samples annually, the Nagaland State Drugs Testing Laboratory can test a wide range of modern (Allopathy) drugs in both solid and liquid oral formulations. Strategically located on the ground and third floors, spanning a combined area of 540 sq. m, the laboratory has ambitious plans for future expansion. These include the addition of a microbiology lab on the second floor and the pursuit of NABL accreditation, which will ultimately increase the annual drug testing capacity to 2,500 samples.
The establishment of this in-house drug testing facility marks a significant improvement over the previous system, where drug samples had to be sent to approved laboratories outside Nagaland. This often resulted in lengthy delays of three to four months for receiving critical test results. With the Nagaland State Drug Testing Laboratory now operational, timely and accurate quality analysis reports will be readily available within the state. This will dramatically improve regulatory enforcement, accelerate investigation timelines for substandard drugs, and ensure quicker action to safeguard public health.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare has firmly reiterated its commitment to stringent drug regulatory measures. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy, the department stated that any drug sample found to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) will trigger immediate legal action against the responsible pharmaceutical manufacturers and local medicine dealers.
The inauguration of the Nagaland State Drugs Testing Laboratory signifies a strong commitment by the state government to ensuring access to quality medicines for its citizens. By establishing this crucial infrastructure, Nagaland is taking proactive steps to combat the menace of substandard pharmaceuticals, protect public health, and strengthen its overall healthcare system. This initiative is expected to bring greater accountability within the pharmaceutical supply chain and foster a healthier future for the state.