(a) whether there is any proposal to decontrol domestic pharmaceutical
sector ;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor ;
(c) the impact of decontrol on the common man ; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to provide cheap medicine to
the common man ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE)
(a) to (d) : Government has recently announced the `Pharmaceutical Policy-
2002`, which lays down the mechanism of price regulation of drugs. The main
objectives of this Policy are, interalia, ensuring abundant availability at
reasonable prices within the country of good quality essential pharmaceuticals
of mass consumption and strengthening the indigenous capability for cost
effective quality production.