Speed Post News Network
New Delhi :Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare J P Nadda on February 21 said here that the successful outcome of the WHO conducted assessment of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India is a big boost to the government’s efforts towards quality healthcare. Nadda said that the WHO congratulated him and the ministry on successful assessment of the country’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA).
Nadda stated the Ministry under the dynamic guidance and leadership of PM Narendra Modiji is poised for more such laurels in the healthcare sector. WHO, in its letter to the Minister, has applauded the country’s NRA being declared “functional’ with a maturity level of 4, i.e., the highest level as per currently evolved definitions in respect of 5 functions, and maturity level 3 in respect of 4 functions. While, maturity level 4 indicates good results and sustained improvement trends, maturity level 3 reflects systematic process based approach, early stage of systematic improvements, data availability regarding conforming to objectives and existence of improvement trends. The Minister informed that the WHO has termed the 100% compliance in the WHO assessment (benchmarking) of the Indian vaccine regulatory system as another ‘landmark achievement’, according to a PIB release .
Pointing out to the introduction of newer vaccines in the country’s full immunisation basket through the nationwide introduction of pentavalent vaccine, and the phased roll-out of Rotavirus vaccine and Measles Rubella vaccine, Nadda stated that the Ministry is confident that India shall meet all its global commitments in the healthcare sector as a result of these focussed endeavours. In addition, Mission Indradhanush has strengthened the full immunisation drive of the government, he said.
A fully functional NRA is a pre-requisite for WHO prequalification of vaccines. One of the requirements to become eligible and retain prequalification status is to have the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) assessed as functional against the WHO published NRA indicators, according to the PIB release.