The Hindu : National : “Create ministry for pharmaceutical sector”

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Thursday, Sep 13, 2007
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“Create ministry for pharmaceutical sector”

Special Correspondent

Its potential not harnessed properly: CPI(M) MP

‘Indian products in demand in Third World’
‘Identify constraints and overcome them’

NEW DELHI: Sujan Chakraborty, Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP, has suggested creation of a separate department or ministry for the pharmaceutical sector.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he has pointed out that the prices of pharmaceutical products manufactured in the country are compatible in the international market and are in great demand in the Third World for their quality and cost.

There is scope for greater cooperation between India and other developing countries.

Focus on health care

The Lok Sabha member has pointed out that the national common minimum programme of the United Progressive Alliance government has laid emphasis on health, especially for poor and rural people. “You will agree that the success of the National Rural Health Mission is inter-related with rapid development of the indigenous pharmaceutical sector.”

The letter draws attention to the problem of multiplicity of authorities in the pharmaceutical sector. The potential for its rapid development is not being harnessed properly.

The sector has to be clear about the nodal ministry or department. There should be clear- cut responsibility for identifying constraints of the sector and for providing help to overcome them.

Leading exporter

The Indian industry, estimated to be worth $12 billion, has established itself as one of the world’s leading exporter of pharmaceutical products.

It ranks 17th in terms of value of export.

In 2006-07, the sector achieved a high growth rate of about 19 per cent for overall drugs and pharmaceutical items.

Approval

Close to 37 per cent of pharmaceutical technologists in the U.S. are of Indian origin and many leading Indian manufacturers have either set up establishments in the U.S. or in the European Union.

A large number of India-made pharmaceutical products have been granted approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

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