National Institute of Biologicals (NIB)

Context: Recently Health Minister virtually inaugurates National Summit on Quality of Biologicals. NIB is playing a vital role in ensuring that only quality biological products reach the health system, thereby strengthening our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s mission of ensuring quality health and wellness for all.

About National Institute of Biologicals:

• It was set up in 1992 as apex autonomous institute under the administrative control of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It is performing primary statutory function of Quality Control of Biologicals. e.g., Insulin, erythropoietin, blood products, diagnostic kits.

About Biological:

• Biological therapeutics, also referred to as Biologicals, are those class of medicines which are grown and then purified from large-scale cell cultures of bacteria or yeast, or plant or animal cells.
• Biologicals are a diverse group of medicines which includes vaccines, growth factors, immune modulators, monoclonal antibodies, as well as products derived from human blood and plasma.
• What distinguishes biologicals from other medicines is that these are generally proteins purified from living culture systems or from blood, whereas other medicines are considered as ‘small molecules’ and are either made synthetically or purified from plants.
• Key difference between biologicals and other medicines: biologicals are generally proteins purified from living culture systems or from blood.
• Other medicines are considered as ‘small molecules’ and are either made synthetically or purified from plants.

Source: PIB

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following statements:

1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 2 and 3