Department of Pharmaceuticals identifies over 110,000 sites for Special Campaign 4.0, achieves 100% digitalization

New Delhi: The Department of Pharmaceuticals, along with its affiliated offices and institutions, has identified over 110,000 sites for cleaning activities as part of the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 4.0. This marks an increase from the 9,624 sites cleaned during the previous phase. 

The department, in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), and public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL), and Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (BCPL), is driving this initiative.

PMBI is spearheading the effort by coordinating cleanup operations across its network of 11,000 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), which provide affordable medicines. The PMBJKs are spread across four regions: East Zone (2,786 centers), North Zone (2,700 centers), South Zone (2,718 centers), and West Zone (2,796 centers). In addition, NPPA, through its Price Monitoring and Resource Units (PMRUs), NIPER, and the three PSUs, is conducting various outdoor cleaning drives as part of this nationwide campaign.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has also achieved 100% digitization of its file management system, positioning itself as one of the few ministries in India to operate a fully paperless office. Out of the total 9,797 e-files managed by the department, 5,126 are active, and the department has committed to reviewing 4,671 pending files as part of the campaign. In conjunction with this effort, NPPA, NIPERs, and the PSUs have identified 4,805 physical files for review and disposal.

In line with sustainability and resource management, the PSUs under the department have also pledged to dispose of scrap materials through appropriate channels, with expected revenue generation of approximately ₹33 lakhs. This cleanup initiative is part of a larger goal to comply with the parameters outlined by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) and to reduce pending matters across all attached offices and institutions.

As the department works towards full compliance by the end of Special Campaign 4.0, it aims to significantly address pendency in key areas while promoting environmental sustainability and digital efficiency.