India approved spending of INR17.5 billion ($270 million) to upgrade its federal and state drug regulation system with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approval this week, the Economic Times reported. The funds, to be spent over three years on items such as new laboratories and a training academy for regulatory and drug testing officials, are seen as crucial to fixing quality issues that have bedeviled manufacturers and testing firms. "The implementation of the scheme will facilitate domestic manufacture of quality medical products and help establish a robust industry in the field of medical devices, biologicals and other areas," the cabinet said in a statement, according to the Economic Times. "The common training programmes for regulatory and laboratory staff will also help in evolving uniform practices throughout the country." Report