Date:08/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070850880300.htm

Back New Department of Pharmaceuticals formed

Our Bureau

New Delhi, July 7 The Government has set up a new department under the Ministry of Fertilisers, Chemicals and Petrochemicals. Called Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), it will solely look after the pharmaceutical sector. Till now pharmaceuticals was handled by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, while fertilisers was taken care of by a separate Department of Fertilisers.

Ministry officials said that since the pharmaceuticals sector has extremely complex issues related to pricing, availability, patents, and international commitments that necessitate integration of work with other ministries, a separate department was necessary. The proposal had been there for quite some time and has been notified only now, the official said.

It will be the administrative authority for the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) for all matters related to price control of essential drugs and monitoring of markets. All the drugs and pharmaceuticals, except those specifically allotted to other departments would come under the purview of the new department.

The Chairman of the NPPA, Mr Ashok Kumar, has taken over as the Secretary.

The department would also be responsible for coordination between organisations and institutes under the Central and State Governments and other stake holders in the sector.