Panel alleges 'lobby' behind pharma policy

The Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of
Chemicals and Fertilisers has cautioned the government to be aware of a
'lobby' that is attempting to stall the passage of the new pharma policy.
Expressing concern over the delay in finalisation of the policy, the
committee reminded that making drugs available at affordable prices is part of the commitment of the UPA government.

The committee's suggestion has come a week after the group of ministers
(GoM) that looks into the draft pharma policy deferred its final
recommendations. The delay in finalisation of the views are known to have
caused by the sudden objections raised by the health ministry on certain
proposals in the draft policy. The health ministry had felt that these
suggestions were part of a bill that is under the consideration of the
Rajyasabha and hence duplication of efforts. The GoM, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar have asked chemical and health secretaries to sort out the issue and return to the GoM. The draft pharma policy had stressed the need for strengthening drug regulatory systems in the country to make quality medicines available at affordable prices.

The accusation of the parliamentary panel, though not direct, hints at the
delay taken in finalising the policy. The GoM, set up on January 11, 2007, has met four times in last 16 months.

The committee, which met here today supported the draft policy suggestions to bring all essential medicines under price control. Members of the Consultative Committee also urged the government to increase production at the Public Sector undertakings under its control which can soften prices in the market. Responding to the members, the Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri Ram Vilas Paswan said, the government has already revived Hindustan Antibiotics, Hindustan Insecticide, BCPL and HOCL, while revival of IDPL is under the active consideration of the GoM.