Government is working on bringing various departments and agencies dealing with the pharma sector under a single authority for better co-ordination and effectiveness.
"We are working on one proposal to bring all the departments or government agencies which deals with the pharma sector under one single department," Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar said.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, he said: "At present, for research, licensing, patent and pricing of drugs or medicines there is a different department for each, so if all these come under one department there will be better co-ordination and effectiveness."
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has regulatory control over import of drugs, approval of new drugs, clinical trials and approval of certain licences. It ensures safety, efficacy and quality of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices.
Whereas the pricing of drugs comes under the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which is under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
Kumar also said the government was also working on a comprehensive pharma policy that will address issued related to bulk drugs, medical implants and devices with an aim to drive growth in the sector.
"We are working on a comprehensive pharma policy to usher growth in this sector. Under this policy we are focusing on three areas-- bulk drugs, medical implants and medical devices," the minister said.
Kumar added: "For medical implants and devices we are working on how to increase their domestic production and to reduce imports."
Last week, Pharmaceuticals Secretary V K Subburaj had said that government would roll out a new pharma policy for bulk drugs in 10-15 days.
The Indian pharma sector is Rs 1.8 lakh crore in size as on today.
