Gujarat Boosts Drug Testing with Rs. 8 Cr Upgrade to Rajkot Lab

• Gujarat allocates 8 crore for new drug testing lab in Rajkot
• Rajkot lab is part of a broader plan to enhance state drug testing
• Gujarat aims to build a globally compliant drug testing ecosystem

In a significant milestone in the enhancement of pharmaceutical quality control, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has now provided Rs. 8 crore to the Gujarat Medical Services Corporation Limited (GMSCL) to apply for the establishment of a new drug testing lab in Rajkot.

Dr. Hemant G. Koshia, the Commissioner of FDCA, stated that GMSCL will now proceed with the tendering process through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to buy sophisticated equipment and consumables. GMSCL is an independent body governed under the Companies Act and takes care of procurement, inventories, and integrating technology in the medical supply chain of Gujarat. 

The laboratory in Rajkot is an important part of Gujarat’s larger initiative to build an efficient, state-of-the-art drug testing infrastructure. In addition to Rajkot, FDCA is planning to establish another major lab, either in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar, depending on land availability. The district collectors have been approached to identify suitable plots, and the government has allocated Rs. 12.33 crore in this fiscal year for the second facility.

Dr. Koshia said, “This investment is a significant leap toward creating a globally compliant drug testing ecosystem, and it reflects our commitment to meet the highest quality standards.”

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These programs collectively form a statewide plan to build a robust drug testing system. We have the Vadodara lab, which has already been modernized and started operating in May 2023 as a microbiology lab, and we will also have labs in Surat and Rajkot. The Vadodara lab was the largest in Asia for microbiology lab facilities, with 16,000 square feet; it was built for Rs. 48 crore and has state-of-the-art Class 100 clean rooms and internationally recognized airlocks.

Overall, these are significant steps in reinforcing Gujarat's pharmaceutical base to include a modern testing system, and clearly, one expected to meet both national and international standards in safety and compliance.