New ministry for Pharmaceuticals sector
The government may establish a separate
Ministry for the pharmaceuticals sector, which would comprise all departments
that deal with issues related to the industry. "For the benefit of end
user, the customer and considering the size of industry... There should be a
separate Pharma Ministry. Therefore, I, along with Minister of State Hansraj
Ahir, will approach Prime Minister and request him to look into this matter,"
Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar said recently.
At present, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
(CDSCO) and Drug Controller General of India (DGCI), which deal in regulatory
control over the import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials,
are governed by Health Ministry.
Whereas, National Pharma Pricing Authority (NPPA), which sets the
price limit on essential medicines, comes under Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilisers.
The Minister said that the separate Ministry
should work as both facilitator as well as regulator for the sector. "As
Prime Minister Narendra Modi created separate Ministry for skill development
and Ayush, on the same lines we will request him for separate Pharma
Ministry," Kumar added.
Kumar added that the entire pharma sector,
which at present is worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore, is based on three pillars -
quality, availability and affordability of medicines.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same event,
Minister of State for Fertiliser Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the government is
working overtime to ensure the availability of medicines at affordable prices.
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