Central Government directs that the National Institute of Biologicals, Noida shall along with existing functions perform the function of Central Drugs Laboratory as an additional facility in respect of COVID-19 vaccine and the functions of the Director in respect of COVID-19 vaccine shall be exercised by the Director of the said Institute.
What does the Notification states?
S.O. 4206(E)— Whereas, there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in India and worldwide;
Whereas, the Central Government is satisfied that making available suitable COVID-19 vaccines is essential to meet the requirements of emergency arising due to the pandemic COVID-19 and, therefore, in public interest, it is necessary and expedient to regulate the testing of COVID-19 vaccine for prevention and management of COVID-19 infection;
Whereas, the Central Government, in consultation with the Drugs Controller (India), is of the considered view that the supply of COVID-19 vaccine must not get affected and the vaccine must remain available to the public;
Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by sections 6 and 26B read with section 33P of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940) and rule 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, the Central Government, hereby directs that the National Institute of Biologicals, Noida, in addition to its existing functions shall perform the function of Central Drugs Laboratory as an additional facility in respect of COVID-19 vaccine and the functions of the Director in respect of COVID-19 vaccine shall be exercised by the Director of the said Institute.
2. In case of any inconsistency between this notification and any rule made under the said Act, the provisions of this notification shall prevail over such rule in public interest so as to meet the requirements of emergency which have arisen due to COVID-19 pandemic.
3. This order shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
4. The notification shall remain into force for a period upto 30th November, 2021.
NOTIFICATION
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[Notification dt. 24-11-2019]
