Section 7 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 - The Drugs Consultative Committee

Section 7 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 provides for the Drugs Consultative Committee, commonly referred to as the DCC. It is an advisory body intended to promote uniform administration of the Act across India.

In brief: The Central Government may constitute the DCC. Its statutory role is to advise the Central Government, State Governments and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board on matters directed toward uniform administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Text of Section 7 - The Drugs Consultative Committee

Section 7(1): The Central Government may constitute an advisory committee to be called "the Drugs Consultative Committee" to advise the Central Government, the State Governments and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board on any matter tending to secure uniformity throughout India in the administration of this Act.

Section 7(2): The Drugs Consultative Committee shall consist of two representatives of the Central Government to be nominated by that Government and one representative of each State Government to be nominated by the State Government concerned.

Section 7(3): The Drugs Consultative Committee shall meet when required to do so by the Central Government and shall have power to regulate its own procedure.

Meaning and purpose of Section 7

The provision creates a statutory mechanism for consultation between the Union and the States in the administration of drug and cosmetic regulation. The expression "advisory committee" describes the DCC's central function: it gives advice on matters where consistency in the administration of the Act is required.

Composition of the Drugs Consultative Committee

Under Section 7(2), the DCC has representation from both levels of government. It consists of two representatives of the Central Government, nominated by the Central Government, and one representative of each State Government, nominated by the State Government concerned.

Functions of the DCC

Advises the Central Government on administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Advises State Governments on matters connected with uniform implementation of the Act.
Advises the Drugs Technical Advisory Board on matters tending to secure uniformity throughout India.
Provides an institutional forum for coordination on regulatory administration under the Act.

CDSCO describes its DTAB-DCC Division as coordinating DCC meetings and related work concerning administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

Meetings and procedure

Section 7(3) provides that the DCC meets when required by the Central Government. The Committee is expressly empowered to regulate its own procedure.

Relationship with Section 5 and Section 7A

Section 5 establishes the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, while Section 7 establishes the Drugs Consultative Committee. These bodies perform distinct statutory functions under the Act.

Section 7A provides that Sections 5 and 7 do not apply to Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drugs. Those categories are addressed through separate provisions of the Act.

Legislative note

The word "India" in Section 7(1) reflects the substitution made by the Adaptation of Laws (Amendment) Act, 1950, as reflected in the official text's legislative footnote.

Official legal resources

For the authoritative statutory text and current regulatory material, refer to the official India Code portal and the CDSCO Acts and Rules page. Information about the functioning of the DCC is also available from the CDSCO DTAB-DCC Division.

Note: This page explains Section 7 for general legal information. For an official or litigation purpose, verify the current statutory text, applicable rules, notifications and amendments from Government sources.