Cabinet approves CDA by amending DCAct

NEW DELHI, PTI: Amid strong opposition from the industry, the Union Cabinet today referred the controversial draft Pharmaceutical Policy to a Group of Ministers that will be formed shortly to look into the matter.

"The Cabinet has referred the proposed pharmaceutical policy to a GoM that would be set up by the Prime Minister shortly," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.

Asked if any timeframe was set for the formation of GoM, he said, "it would have to be set up soon as the policy is to be introduced in the Budget session of Parliament."

The draft policy formulated by Department of Chemicals had mooted drug price control on 354 drugs under the National List of Essential Medicines, which the industry opposed.

Industry had termed the policy as 'anti-consumer' and 'retrograde' and sought the Prime Minister's intervention.

The country's leading industry chambers CII and FICCI were of the view that the proposed policy would deter pharma firms from making essential drugs, hence defeating the very objective of price control.

The Cabinet also approved setting up a Central Drug Authority of India by amending Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

"The decision would facilitate upgradation of national drug regulator, bring uniformity in licencing, beside improving quality and ensuring safety of drugs," Dasmunsi said.

Source: The Hindu
12th January 2007

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