(a) whether a Fund of Rs.150 crore was created for the R&D in the
pharma sector during the last year`s budget;
(b) if so, whether it is also a fact that the said fund has not been
formed so far;
(c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether Ministry of Finance has objected for creation of such
Fund under his Ministry ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS ( SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE )
(a) to (d) : The Pharmaceutical Research & Development
Committee(PRDC) constituted by the Government under the
Chairmanship of Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR with
a view to recommending measures to strengthen the Research &
Development capability of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the
country and to identify the support required by Indian
Pharmaceutical Companies to undertake domestic R&D, in its
report submitted to the Government, has, interalia, recommended
the establishment of Pharmaceutical Research & Development
Support Fund (PRDSF) to promote research in the Pharmaceutical
Industry in the country. The issue is under inter-ministerial
consultations.