Govt working on policy to raise bulk drugs output

The government is working on a policy to raise the domestic output of bulk drugs and bring down imports. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has moved a Cabinet note on bulk drugs based on the recommendations of Katoch committee, Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar said on Wednesday. Bulk drugs are used as raw materials by the pharmaceutical industry.

"We have moved a Cabinet note on the basis of Katoch committee recommendations and at present it is under discussion," Kumar said. He was speaking after releasing a report on recommendations to develop manufacturing capabilities in pharmaceutical sector. The minister added that the new draft policy will raise the domestic output of bulk drugs in the country as well as bring down the imports.

The draft proposal has been prepared in order to benefit both the domestic pharma industry and consumers, Kumar said adding that the government is keen to implement the recommendations of the Committee as early as possible. India meets about 80 per cent of its demand of bulk drugs through import from China. The government had set up a committee headed by V M Katoch, Secretary, Health Research, to suggest ways to reduce the dependence on bulk drug imports from China.