e:
(a) whether the Drug companies are not developing any
medicines for ailments inflicting poor people in India;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government have asked any PSU or
voluntary organisation to take a lead in this regard;
(d) if so, details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (DR. CHHATTRA PAL SINGH)
(a)to(e): There are no diseases exclusive to poor. The diseases
associated with poor hygienic conditions and malnutrition, such as,
TB, gastroentritis/cholera, malaria, Kala-azar, etc. may be
categorised as diseases, which are prevalent more in the poor
people than other sections of society.
Indian drug companies have been carrying out research
programmes for development of processes for manufacture of a
number of drugs required for these diseases, as well as
development of new molecules of pharmaceutical value, for
treatment of such diseases.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is operating a
Plan Scheme entitled ` Drugs and pharmaceuticals Research
Programme (DPRP)` since 1994-95. The programme has so far
supported 38 industry – institutional collaborative R&D projects
related to development/standardization of herbal drugs to treat
several diseases such as diarrhoea, pancreatitis, gastritis, ischaemic
heart diseases, cancer, eye diseases, diabetes, vitiligo, psoriasis,
rheumatism, ulcer, thyroid, obesitry etc., development of vaccines,
diagnostic kits, synthesis of new chemical entities, drug delivery
system. Apart from this, the programme has also funded 7 national
facilities in the area of pharma sector at public funded institutions.