Lok Sabha Question No. 1457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Research and Development of New Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1457

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## Research and Development of New Drugs

## 1457. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched any programme or policy for research and development  of  new  drugs/vaccines  for  treatment  of  newly  emerging  diseases across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the Government has constituted any inter-department related Committee  for  pharmaceuticals  research  and  development  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken for the benefit of common people of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

- (a)  &  (b):   The  Department has set up seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education  and  Research  (NIPERs)  at  Mohali  (Punjab),  Ahmedabad  (Gujarat), Hajipur (Bihar), Hyderabad (Telangana), Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal) and  Raebareli  (Uttar  Pradesh)  to  nurture  and  promote  quality  and  excellence  in pharmaceutical  education  and  research  in  India.  These  are  institutes  of  national importance, which besides imparting master's and doctorate education, conduct high end research in various specializations of pharmaceuticals.

Further,  the  Department  of  Biotechnology  is  implementing  the  National Biopharma  Mission  (NBM)  through  Biotechnology  Research  Assistance  Council (BIRAC). This PAN-India program is focused on making India a hub for development of novel, affordable and effective vaccines, biotherapeutics and medical devices for combating  public health  concerns. The  Department  of  Biotechnology  is  also supporting the implementation of the Ind-CEPI Mission entitled 'Epidemic preparedness  through  rapid vaccine development:  Support  of Indian vaccine development  aligned with the global initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness  Innovations  (CEPI)'  which  aim  to  support  vaccine  development  for diseases of epidemic potential in India. The Mission was approved for implementation in  March,  2019 for  a  period of five  years  and  is  part  of  a  broader Initiative  called  the  Atal  Jai  Anusandhan  Biotech  Mission  -  Undertaking  Nationally Relevant Technology Innovation (UNaTI).

(c)   & (d)  The Department has set up an Inter- Departmental Committee (IDC) in January, 2019 to periodically review and coordinate research work undertaken by various governmental organization under different Central Ministries/ Departments in a collaborative, synchronized and synergized way for optimum utilization of funds and  to  ensure  no  overlapping  and  duplication  of  efforts  and  resources  occur. Further,  the  Department  has  recently  set  up  a  High  level  inter-departmental Committee including eminent industry leaders/ experts to frame a Policy on R&D and Innovation including Academia-industry linkage in Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices.

Further,  the  National  Biopharma  Mission  (NBM)  under  the  Department  of Biotechnology  is  supporting  the  development  of  candidate  vaccines  for  Cholera, Influenza, Dengue, Chikungunya, Pneumococcal  disease and COVID-19, for establishing shared  facilities  for  vaccine  development,  funding  of  Technology Transfer Offices, supporting the development of TRC for chikungunya and dengue and the establishment of Clinical Trial Networks, Field sites for conducting epidemiology studies and preparing for conduct of population-based vaccine trials, Clinical trial consortium of hospitals across the country for specialities of Oncology, Rheumatology,  Ophthalmology  and  Diabetology,  Trainings  and  workshops  are organised for enhancing skill development and capacity building activities.

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