Also working on a comprehensive pharma policy
The government is working on bringing various departments and agencies dealing with the pharmaceuticals sector under a single authority for better coordination and effectiveness.
“We are working on one proposal to bring all the departments or government agencies which deals with the pharma sector under one single department,” Ananth Kumar, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers said.
According to a PTI report, explaining the rationale behind the move, Kumar said, “At present, for research, licensing, patent and pricing of drugs or medicines there is a different department for each, so if all these come under one department there will be better coordination and effectiveness.”
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has regulatory control over import of drugs, approval of new drugs, clinical trials and approval of certain licences. It ensures safety, efficacy and quality of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices.
On the other hand, the pricing of drugs comes under the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which is under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
Kumar also said the government was also working on a comprehensive pharma policy that will address issued related to bulk drugs, medical implants and devices with an aim to drive growth in the sector.
“We are working on a comprehensive pharma policy to usher growth in this sector. Under this policy we are focusing on three areas – bulk drugs, medical implants and medical devices,” the minister said.
“For medical implants and devices we are working on how to increase their domestic production and to reduce imports.”
VK Subburaj, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals recently said that government would roll out a new pharma policy for bulk drugs in 10-15 days.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai