Lok Sabha Question No. 1283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Indigenous Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1283

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 th  December, 2018

## Indigenous Drugs

†1283. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the use of indigenous drugs during the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has worked out/proposes to work out any scheme to make generic drugs accessible in the country and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government  has  identified  such  places  where  there  is  a  huge  shortage  of  generic drugs;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY  OF  SHIPPING  AND  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND  FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a):  Following  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  the  use  of domestically manufactured drugs and medicines:
- (i) National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 (NPPP-2012) was notified with the objective  to  put  in  place  a  regulatory  framework  for  pricing  of  drugs  so  as  to ensure availability  of  required  medicines  -  'essential  medicines'  at  reasonable prices even while providing sufficient opportunity for innovation and competition to support the growth of pharma  industry thereby meeting  the goals of employment and shared economic well-being for all.
- (ii) In order to promote and to make available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all through specific outlets, a scheme in the name of 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana' (PMBJP) is functioning across the country.
- (iii)  In  order  to  promote  domestically  manufactured  drugs,  the  Government  is providing  financial  support  for  research  and  development  through  Drugs  & Pharmaceuticals  Research  Programme  (DPRP)  run  by  the  Department  of Science  &  Technology.  The  companies  undertaking  Research  &  Development activities are provided income tax benefits.
- (iv)  The  Drugs  (Prices  Control)  Order,  2013,  Para-32(iii)  provides  exemptions  from price  control  to  a  manufacturer  producing  a  new  drug  involving  a  new  delivery system developed through indigenous Research and Development for a period of five years from the date of its market approval in India.
- (v) The  government  vide  its  notification  dated  28 th January,  2016  has  withdrawn exemption of customs duty on certain categories on Bulk Drugs/APIs to provide level playing field to the domestic manufacturers.
- (b): In order to make  generic medicines more  accessible, the Department  of Pharmaceuticals has requested all the States/Union Territories to explore and enforce the proposal of keeping a separate shelf/rack for generic medicines in every pharmacy in the country. Further, Government is successfully operating a scheme in the name of 'Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Pariyojana'  (PMBJP)  for  providing  quality, unbranded generic  medicines at affordable  prices  in  the  country.  Under  this  Scheme dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) are opened to provide generic medicines. As on 13.12.2018, 4,571 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened, across the country.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): In view of reply (c) above, the question does not arise.

- (e): Under PMBJP Scheme a target has been set to open at least one PMBJP Kendra in every district of the country.

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