e:
(a) whether the Union Government have taken any action to
protect indigenous pharmaceuticals in view of India being
declared as `Priority Watch list` by the US; and
(b) if so, the reasons therefore?
e:
(a) whether the Union Government have taken any action to
protect indigenous pharmaceuticals in view of India being
declared as `Priority Watch list` by the US; and
(b) if so, the reasons therefore?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (DR. CHHATTRA PAL SINGH)
(a)and (b): The Annual Special 301 Report for 2003, released by
the United States Trade Representative (USTR) retains India in
the `Priority Watch List` alongwith 10 other countries. India is
being kept under this category since 1995. USTR lists countries
as `Priority Foreign Country`; `Priority Watch List` and `Watch
List`. Under US Rules, the USTR is obliged to initiate action
against only such countries as are listed under `Priority Foreign
Country` and that too only after holding consultations with the
Governments of the concerned countries. As such, there is no
immediate threat to the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry.