Question : PACKAGING OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

(a) whether the Government has received any request from certain civil society organisation and others urging the Government to ban the use of plastic and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles for primary packaging of pharmaceutical products;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has constituted an expert panel to examine the effect of plastic and PET on public health;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by which the panel is likely to submit its report to the Government?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) & (b): The HIM Jagriti, an Uttaranchal Welfare Society, Dehradun has forwarded a representation against packaging of Pharmaceutical product in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) / Plastic bottles because of its alleged adverse effect on public health and environmental hazards.

(c) to (e): The matter has been referred to an expert committee constituted by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) No time frame, however, has been fixed in this regard.