The Hindu : National : “Why delay pharma policy?”

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National

“Why delay pharma policy?”

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has pulled up the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals for delay in finalising the National Pharmaceutical Policy, 2006.

In its report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers has observed that despite its recommendation for finalising the policy, the department remained static on such a crucial issue.

The recommendation was made in the 20th report (2006-07), which is an action-taken report of the 7th Report of the committee in 2005-06.

Presented to the Lok Sabha, the report notes that the draft policy was discussed by the Cabinet on January 11, 2007 and referred it to a Group of Ministers led by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

3 meetings

The GoM has till now held three meetings. The last meting was held on January 30, 2008.

At that meeting, Mr. Pawar said the GoM would again meet to take a final view on various issues in the draft policy and make the recommendations.

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ram Vilas Paswan had requested the Chairman to convene the next meeting of the GoM at an earliest date.

The committee expressed anguish over the delay and reiterated its earlier recommendation regarding the finalisation of the policy.

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