Question : Indigenous Production of API

(a) whether the Government has any plans to encourage pharmaceutical companies to provide generic and cheap medicines/drugs for the needy/poor people, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has taken up the issue with the drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical industries to indigenously produce and use Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients instead of depending heavily on Chinese Markets for these ingredients, if so, the details and outcome thereof along with further steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to check the sale of spurious drugs and expired medicines in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): The provisions under National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy-2012(NPPP-2012), are to put in place a regulatory framework for pricing of essential drugs as per the strength and dosages as specified in the National Lit of Essential Medicines which satisfy the priority healthcare needs of majority of the population.

(b): Yes, Madam. The Government is now examining the viability of supporting the proposal for providing assistance for common minimum facilities for 03 Greenfield Bulk Drugs/ API Parks to the extent of Rs. 200 cr. Besides this, the Department in association with Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Ministry of Commerce & Industry are sorting out the difficulties being faced by the Bulk Drug Manufacturers relating to Environmental issues.

(c): The sale of medicines in the country is as per the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act and any violators of these provisions are dealt with according to the Act.

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