Report on Two days workshop on "Draft- National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006”
Organised by Indian Pharmaceutical Association, M. P. State Branch, on 8-9th Sept. 2007 at Hotel Sayaji, Indore.

The department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers submitted the Draft National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006 with one of the aims to ensure life saving drugs available at affordable prices, to the Union Government on 28 th Dec. 2005 for its implementation. Most of the proposals in the 'Policy' were not compatible with the MNC's and Large Scale Indian companies. Relaxations/Concessions, whatsoever, proposed for SSI were also not appreciated by those houses. Ultimately the matter was forced to be left to the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Amid speculations of the' industry' trying to influence the Prime Minister to change the Policy, the Prime Minister constituted the 7 member Group of Ministers (GoM) under chairmanship of Shri Sharad Pawar to finalise the policy on 11th January this year. The seven member GoM included Chemicals & Fertiliser Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Kamal Nath, Health Minister Shri Ambumani Ramdoss, Science and Technology Minister Shri Kapil Sibal, Law Minister Shri H.R. Bharadwaj and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Its worth pointing out that Minister of Small Scale Industries has not been included in the GoM, despite the fact that SSI plays remarkable role in National Health Care and also that SSI solely would be affected, being unrepresented, by the Policy. The finalisation of the 'Policy' is pending consideration before the GoM. The Pharma SSI sector strongly desires that their aspect must be presented before the GoM by Ministry of SSI.

Indian Pharmaceutical Association, M. P. State Branch, Indore, felt its responsibility to safeguard the interest of the profession particularly Industry and more particularly in SSI, and also the general public, which is considered to be main source of employment and economic growth and organized two days workshop on "Draft- National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006” on 8 and 9th Sept. 2007 at Hotel Sayaji, Indore.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. M. Venkateswarlu, Drugs Controller General (India) and also present were Mr. A.K.Singhal, Advisor (Pricing) NPPA along with President and Hon. Secretary of the Association.

Dr. Venkateswarlu on this occasion explained the part of regulators being talked about in the country referring to the report of ‘Mashelkar Committee’ and what is proposed in the ‘Draft Policy’. He categorily tried to remove the apprehensions, if any, that on existence of Central Drug Authority (CDA) licensees from different parts of the country shall be required to travel to Delhi for clearance of their day to day licensing work and assured that the system present today shall remain intact. While congratulating IPA, MP for organizing workshop on ‘Draft Policy’ he suggested that since IPA includes professionals from every field , it should bring awareness in the society about the difference in ‘Counterfeit’ and ‘Spurious’ drugs.

Dr. Venkateswarlu categorily rejected the news appearing in the media that 30%-40% of medicines available in the country are either counterfeit or spurious. He cautioned manufacturers of drugs against the ‘panic’ which is being spread through the media in the country and damaging the image of the industry as a whole in the domestic as well as overseas markets and the consumers.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Singhal, Advisor (Pricing), NPPA, guest of honour, gave a brief on the role of NPPA in fixation and revision of scheduled medicines both bulk and formulations. He also informed the gathering about the recent developments in NPPA to achieve the goal for ensuring medicines available at affordable price to a common man.

Dr. R.A. Sharma, President, IPA, MP, welcomed all the dignitaries and guests.

Mr J. R. Agarwal, Convener, introduced to the house the objects of organizing the workshop and also gave brief on the ‘Draft Policy’. He came down sharply on the proposal, which is already implemented, for allocating 102 drugs to be exclusively purchased by all Central Government Procurement Agencies from PSU’s on a price fixed by NPPA, while ignoring SSI in the country on this issue. He was of the view that for the aim of achieving Uniform implementation of Drugs And Cosmetics Act and Rules, present provisions and system is enough if supported by strong will power both at Central and State levels.
The workshop was attended by nearly 300 delegates from across the country. The inaugural session concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. S.B. Rijhwani, Hon. Secretary and presentation of mementoes to guests.

None else than Pharmacist Kailash Bidasaria nicely conducted the inaugural ceremony.

As the outcome of the workshop following major issues were suggested :

1. The GoM is requested that grievances and suggestions of Pharma SSI be taken into consideration after giving their representatives a patient hearing.
2. Formulations should be exempted from all sorts of taxes, duties, levies in view of provision under ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ of the Constitution of India.
3. Alternatively excise duty @ 8% inplace of 16% and nil rate of duty up to clearence value of Rs. 5.0 crs. as suggested in the ‘Draft Policy’ be approved.
4. Contract Manufacturing which has become one of the major sources of misutilisation of printed packaging material without any account thereof, be discontinued forthwith.
5. Licensing procedure of manufacturing facilities be continued at State level and CDA, even if formed be entrusted with work of overall monitoring and aspects related to more technical nature like pharmacovigilance, ADR, activities of MNC’s and large houses, task force and import/export.
6. The activities of large houses by way of trial by media to be checked.
7. Price Control on all Essential Medicines should be embarked upon.
8. Regulatory and Testing labs. State/UT level must be upgraded with sufficient expert staff and be raised to a desired model.
9. There must be special provisions for Small Business Houses as prevailing in Developed Countries

During the two days workshop following experts expressed their views on the subject:
(1.) Dr. R. S. Gaud (2.) Dr. D. Roy ( 3.) Mr. J. R. Agarwal (4.) Mr. S. W. Deshpande ( 5.) Mr. Kapil Bhargava (6.) Dr. S. P. Adeshara and (7.) Mr. D. M. Chincholikar.

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