Standardization Laboratory at Calcutta Cateutta, Nov, 18, A noteworthy step towards: the standardization of drugs in India being taken in the establishment, of Biochemical Standardization Labboratory at Calcutta, for which orders have been issued by the Government of India, The laboratory will- consist of a blo-assay sub-section and a. pharmaceutical subsection, and among its functions will be the preparation and, maintenance of suitable standards of strength, purity and quality for rugs, and standardization of motheds of analysis and test with regard to climatic and other conditions pre-valling in different parts of India, The laboratory will also act as expert referee in respect of disputed analyses of samples sent by—Tceal governments; will guide and ¢o-ordinate the work of provincial laboratories; will assay and test chemicals and drugs, and biological Products such as serums and vaccines and ergane-metallic compounds at the request of central or local gov-will supply information and provincial laboratories as the neod may be, Control of Drugs There has for long been a demand that local governments should. provide for "the standardization medicinal drugs and for the control of their indiscriminate use and sale, 'A committee was accordingly up: pointed to explore and define the problem of drug control. Tis recommendations were considered in con. sultation with local governments und action is now beluga taken " to Implement them.
The control of drugs is primostly a matter of provincial concern and under the new constitution will be even more so. The laboratory Is being established as a first step towards dealing with this problem and assisting local governments to make their own preparations, The laboratory will evolve definite norms or standards, but, with ite establishment, it is hoped that there will be the beginning of control aver, the manufacture of-spurious drugs, to. be implemented by suitable provin. cial action for the examination of drugs) and patent medicines,—the norms or standards setup by the central laboratory providing the provinces with a basis on which to gnicree local laws against adulterae lon.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.