GoM to study draft pharma policy

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today forwarded the draft pharmaceutical policy to a Group of Ministers (GoM) for further consideration. The policy, which along with other measures seeks to bring essential medicines under price control, was strongly opposed by the industry. 'A GoM will be appointed to look into the entire aspect and it will come back to the Cabinet shortly. The policy is expected to come up in the next Parliamentary session - the Budget session,' said Mr P.R. Dasmunsi, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.

The Cabinet has approved of the setting up of a Central Drugs Authority of India as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to be located at the Food and Drug Bhawan, New Delhi. It has also approved centralising the licensing of drug manufacturing units from the States to the Union Government. The transition is to occur in a phased manner over five years.