Dr. Naresh Sharma served for many years as a Deputy Drugs Controller (India) at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the apex national regulatory authority for drugs and pharmaceuticals in India. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Delhi, a master’s degree in Pharmacy from Birla Institute of Technology, India, and a doctorate in pharmacy from Kumaon University—grounding him in both academic study and practical expertise in the pharmaceutical field.

Dr. Sharma began his professional journey in pharmaceutical manufacturing in 1995, later shifting to research and development roles with firms such as Cadila Pharmaceuticals, JK Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, and Dabur Research Foundation, working on diverse dosage forms and pharmaceutical formulations. In 2006 he joined the national regulatory setup at CDSCO, bringing his industry experience to bear on drug regulation, compliance audits (GMP, GCP, GLP), and quality oversight.

Beyond his regulatory role, Dr. Sharma was actively involved with the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), having served as president of its Delhi State Branch, and worked on initiatives to strengthen pharmacy’s role in public health and regulation.

However—and importantly—Dr. Sharma’s career came under serious controversy in 2019 when he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of corruption. He was immediately suspended by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and a formal investigation under corruption laws was initiated. According to subsequent records, legal proceedings have been ongoing, and as of 2023, he filed a petition seeking reinstatement or subsistence-allowance benefits during suspension—indicating that the disciplinary and judicial process has been protracted.

Dr. Sharma’s trajectory—from academic training and industry experience to national regulatory responsibility—underscores a blend of technical depth and institutional engagement. But his arrest and suspension mark a significant disruption to a career that once straddled both the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory governance, raising complex questions about accountability, regulatory oversight, and trust in public institutions.