(a): whether the Government have taken fresh steps and policy decisions to boost up performance of pharma sector in the context of globalisation;
(b): if so, the details thereof; and
(c): the details of deficiencies observed in implementation of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS (SHRI RAMESH BAIS )
(a) to (c) : In March, 1999, the Government had constituted a Drug Price Control Review Committee (DPCRC) to review the current drug price control mechanism and to suggest alternate models, if any, with a view to reduce the rigours of price control where they had become counter productive. Another committee, namely, Pharmaceutical Research and
Development Committee (PRDC) was also constituted in March, 99 to recommend measures to strengthen the research and development capability of the pharmaceutical industry in the country and to identify the support required by Indian Pharmaceutical companies to undertake domestic research and development. Both the Committees have
submitted their reports to the Government. The Government has also constituted a Task Force on Pharmaceuticals and Knowledge-based Industries in Nov. 1999, inter alia to evaluate the status of the pharmaceutical industry in India and to identify the strategy
required for each of its sectors in order to enable this industry to become a world leader.