Question : Drug Price Control

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the measures being taken by the Government since the year 2011, for drug price control have resulted in a drastic slowdown in launching of new drugs in the country by drug manufacturing companies;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government proposes to impose custom duty on some life saving drugs; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b): The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) grants permission to manufacture/ import new drugs under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. As per the information available from the CDSCO, there has not been any drastic slowdown in launching of new drugs by drug manufacturing companies since coming into effect of the new Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO). The details of number of permissions granted by the CDSCO to manufacture/ import new drugs since the year 2011 are as under:

Year Number of Permissions
2011 526
2012 311
2013 299
2014 254
2015 172
2016 194
2017 212
2018 239
Total 2207


(c): No, Sir.

(d): In view of reply to (c) above, does not arise.

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