The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Parshottam Rupala, has launched the NANDI (NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System) portal. Through it, DAHD strives to enhance the transparency of the regulatory approval process for assessing and examining veterinary product proposals.
By integrating the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s SUGAM portal, the process will be more streamlined. SUGAM is a comprehensive database of the various permissions and licenses issued by state FDAs, including data on manufacturers, manufacturing sites, and drug formulations. Manufacturers can access their consolidated data about permissions issued to them from state FDAs.
According to a press release, the portal was launched in pursuance of the spirit of the Digital India mission. It captures the essence of “minimum government and maximum governance” by leveraging information technology systems. It aims to boost growth and innovation by enabling quick and easy coordination between various government departments, institutes, and the industry. The portal has inbuilt features for end-to-end coordination between departments, committees/subcommittees, and applicants.
Rupala emphasised the significance of closely monitoring the operations of the portal in the initial months to ensure it is a strong and reliable system. He also thanked the stakeholders involved in the development of the NANDI portal, including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
The initiative is important for the promotion of the welfare of livestock and the overall livestock industry, Rupala said. The launch follows several previous efforts made in animal vaccination coverage and the implementation of mobile veterinary units (MVUs). It will also extend support to researchers and industries from a commercial perspective. By enhancing awareness among livestock rearers and improving logistical facilities, the portal aims to stimulate the consumption of drugs, ultimately benefiting the livestock sector.
Veterinary vaccines have had and continue to have a significant impact, not only on animal health and production but human health. They play a crucial role in ensuring safe food supplies and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans. Prioritising the health of livestock means ensuring a consistent and regular supply of vaccines and medicines.
Therefore, DAHD has been consistently trying to expedite the regulatory approval process, which will help improve the availability of veterinary drugs and vaccines in the country. For instance, the agency has set up the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH), which is working towards creating resilient, farmer-centric animal health systems. It intends to implement changes that contribute to the long-term success of the livestock sector.
Under ECAH, a Regulatory Subcommittee has been established, which consists of various veterinary experts from industry and academia. Its primary objective is to engage in thorough discussions, take prompt and effective actions, and offer recommendations and policy inputs regarding submissions of veterinary vaccines, biologicals, and drugs to the Department. The aim is to leverage the expertise of the subcommittee to provide well-informed opinions that contribute to the overall regulatory decision-making process in the field of animal healthcare.
Earlier this month, Rupala chaired DAHD’s meeting on exploring various aspects of strengthening veterinary services through mobile units and implementing a vaccination programme in the country. He said that India has vast resources of livestock and poultry, which play a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. Therefore, the Department must increase the availability and accessibility of better veterinary health services to minimise economic losses due to animal diseases.
