"We uploaded a new feature on our portal that enables people to locate blood banks having the rarest of rare blood groups in case of an emergency," Gujarat Food & Drug Control Administration (GFDCA) Commissioner H G Koshia told PTI.
"By logging onto our portal one can find quantity of the particular blood group stock available with a blood bank. This e-governance feature has been added in view of public safety," he said.
The state drug regulator is also in the process of developing a SMS model of this facility, that could further speed up the search and shorten time for blood availability.
As part of its e-governance initiative, the Gujarat FDCA has developed an SMS alert system through which all the stakeholders in the state can be notified of the recalled fake drugs. It also issues drug licenses online.
This cost-effective model was launched in the state earlier this year to protect the patients from spurious drugs.
Meanwhile, Gujarat FDCA has joined hands with UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for strengthening, knowledge sharing, and develop better understanding of the regulatory procedures like inspection skills.
"We have joined hands with UK's MHRA for training, inspection and knowledge sharing," Koshia said.