In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started issuing all sale licenses for medicines through online application software with e-signature having organic authentication on Aadhaar (UIDAI) server.
"The step is part of the Maharashtra government's e-Governance policy and the central government's 'Digital India' programme and 'Ease of doing business' initiative," Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Harshadeep Kamble said.
FDA Maharashtra is the first office in India to provide such a service, he said. These licenses have unique TPAV number which can be verified at www.Xlnindia.Gov.In.
The process for obtaining licenses for sale of medicines is paperless, right from submitting an application to grant of license and is time-bound, transparent and user-friendly, the senior IAS officer said.
The applicant can now make an application online, upload documents digitally, pay fee through payment gateway of the Maharashtra government gras.Mahakosh.Gov.In.
This application software is linked to virtual treasury office of government of Maharashtra since June 2015, and the fee paid is verified online, he said.
The applications will be processed online and the applicant can see the status of the application online. And after grant of license, the applicant receives the information by SMS besides a downloadable copy.
The applicant need not visit the office of FDA at all, as the whole process is now paperless, Kamble said.
"The software and the technology applied is seamless and transparent to reduce the discretionary powers with the Licensing Authority.
"Applications to be disposed within specified period are automatically highlighted. The Drug Inspector, after inspection of site, has to submit his report online," he said.
