Lok Sabha Question No. 4186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Testing of Animal Vaccines
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4186 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  MARCH 2022

## TESTING OF ANIMAL VACCINES

4186. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has developed any plans to overcome research hurdles which prevent the  individual  testing  of  batches  of  animal  vaccines,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government is undertaking any measures to ensure that animal vaccines meet the quality control test standards so that the release of important vaccines are not stalled, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government is undertaking any measures to facilitate research and development and develop faster quality testing mechanisms for animal vaccines and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government has developed any plans to attract private players to the sector such as looking at the PPP model for the development of Mobile Veterinary Units and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c) Manufacturing, sale and distribution of drugs, including vaccines for veterinary use, is regulated under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder through a system  of  inspection  and  licensing.  Laboratories  at  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  Indian  Veterinary  Research  Institute  (ICAR-IVRI),  Izatnagar  and  Chaudhary  Charan  Singh National  Institute  of  Animal  Health  (CCSNIAH),  Baghpat  are  recognized  as  Central  Drug Laboratories for testing animal vaccines. Besides, Department has designated other laboratories of  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  for  testing  of  vaccines  procured  centrally. Availability of animals, often a challenge for testing veterinary vaccines, is ensured with support of State Governments, ICAR, veterinary universities, etc.

Government has taken various measures to facilitate  research and development and  developed plans  for  faster  quality  testing  mechanisms  for  animal  vaccines.  The  erstwhile  method  for potency testing of vaccines, has been replaced using cell culture / embryonated eggs i.e. in vitro testing.  Further,  research  for  alternate  laboratory  animal  models  and  other  in  vitromethods, continues for vaccine potency and safety testing of various vaccines.

Government has taken various measures to ensure that animal vaccines meet quality control test standards including strengthening of existing Quality Control  (QC)  laboratories. Further, standards of QC testing are regularly revised.

(d) Government, under Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC) scheme, supplements the efforts of States / UTs towards animal health by providing them financial assistance. To bring veterinary  services  at  farmers'  doorsteps,  the  Central  Government,  from  2021-22,  is  providing 100% central funds towards procurement & customization of mobile veterinary units (MVUs). However, recurring operational expenditure would be shared with States in the ratio of 90:10 for North  Eastern  &  Himalayan  States;  60%  for  other  States,  and  100%  for  UTs.Each  MVU  will have one veterinarian, one para-veterinarian and one driver-cum-attendant. There is provision for operating  these  MVUs  on  PPP  mode  with  the  Government  providing  the  infrastructure  but manpower outsourced by implementing agency including cooperatives and milk unions etc.

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