KATHMANDU: A high-level monitoring committee has been established by Health and Population Minister Pradeep Yadav to oversee modifications to Nepal's pharmaceutical industry. Resolving operational and quality issues in Birgunj and Itahari's pharmaceutical production, wholesale, and retail sectors is the committee's main objective.

The committee's creation is motivated by the necessity to examine conformity with the Drugs Act of 2035 and other applicable legislation. It will undertake on-site inspections of pharmaceutical plants, distributors, and pharmacies to detect any flaws in manufacturing, sales, distribution, export-import operations, and storage methods.

Its primary goal is to ensure that quality criteria for medication manufacture, effectiveness, and safety are met. The committee will review drug wholesalers' operations to verify that they meet mandated quality requirements in their sales and distribution procedures.

Dr. Bikas Devkota, the ministry's assistant health secretary, has been chosen as the committee's coordinator, with Dr. Gunanidhi Sharma, a senior health administrator, serving as member secretary. The committee's members include Narayan Dhakal, Director General of the Department of Drug Administration, Sangita Sah, senior drug manager at the National Pharmaceutical Laboratory, a Nepal Pharmacy Council representative, authorized personnel from the respective district administration offices, and heads of local Department of Drug Administration branches.

A critical aspect of the committee's work is its directive to submit a comprehensive report to the ministry within 15 days of its formation, outlining findings and recommendations for improving pharmaceutical industry practices and regulatory compliance.