Some top pharmaceutical industry leaders have approached the Union minister for health, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, objecting to the DCGI's decision to weed out irrational drug combinations, it is learnt.
Although the industry associations were yet to formally meet Health minister, the ministry has already received representations from the industry leaders over the issue, after DCGI began the drive against irrational combinations.
"We have received representations from industry leaders and some associations. We are studying the matter,'' an official from the Ministry said without mentioning names of the associations or the industry captains.
A joint secretary concerned in the Health Department has been asked to through the representations and meet them, if necessary, after the issue was raised up by industry leaders with the Minister through representations and seeking appointments.
Ministry sources also denied any involvement at this stage directly by the Minister or the higher officials in the Department in this matter as the matter is being handled by the DCGI who according to the ministry is the competent authority.
The industry leaders were planning to meet the Minister to personally and present the industry's view on the matter after the DCGI went ahead with his drive to weed out the irrational combination drugs and when efforts by the industry to budge him failed.
However, they did not press for the meeting with the Minister after DCGI announced a meeting with all the associations on October 27, with a view to listen to the concerns of the industry on the issue. It is also reported that the DCGI is working on a set of guidelines on the FDCs a demand constantly made by associations like IPA and IDMA. Inputs from the scheduled meeting with the associations and drug controllers are also expected to be taken in view for the guidelines.