(a) whether the Government proposes to boost research and development in the pharmaceutical sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Foreign Direct Investment in pharmaceutical sector is permitted / co ntemplated;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the further steps proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.19 for 19.11.2009
(a) & (b).Yes. Govt. proposes to boost research and development (R&D) in Pharmaceuticals. Following
the creation of the new Deptt in July 2008 various proposals have been formulated and forwarded to
the Planning Commission for their examination and `in principle` approval. These programmes are at
different stages of approval and implementation. The Department is working in consultation with
various Govt. Departments and organizations including the Ministry of Science & Technology,
Ministry of Health & Family welfare for building up basic support systems to create the enabling
environment for R&D initiatives by creating the required infrastructure as well as mechanisms and
linkages to facilitate R&D. Six new National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research
(NIPERs) are being set up to create the appropriate development of human resources for Pharma R&D.
Different Pharmaceutical companies are involved in drug discovery and formulation research
alongwith Government Departments/Institutions like Department of Science and Technology,
Department of Biotechnology, ICMR, AYUSH etc. Drug discovery and development is a continuous
and , long drawn process involving 10-12 years of time aiming at manufacturing safe, potent
and affordable drugs.
The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry has geared up for Research & Development of new drugs.
There are about 58 companies in the pharmaceutical sector having R&D centres approved by
DSIR u/s. 35 (2AB) of the Income Tax Act. out of which about 15 companies are carrying
out Research & Development in new drugs and have built up requisite R&D infrastructure
and expertise. The therapeutic areas in wliich these companies have developed lead
molecules are malaria, urology, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular indications,
cancer, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, inflammation & pain, staphylococcal
infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, anti-migraine, anti-TB
and anti-psoriasis.
(c) & (d) Yes. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% is permitted under the FDI
policy on the automatic route for manufacture of drugs & Pharmaceuticals including
those involving use of recombinant DNA technology.
(e) The Department is exploring various avenues to facilitate research and build up basic
support systems for promoting R&D.