The Central Government has decided to intensify its efforts on strengthening the regulatory systems in the health and drug-pricing sector of the country within six months.

The comprehensive list of "Thrust Areas," prepared by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in consultation with the ministries, includes these two areas among others. The thrust areas were identified based on the commitments made by the UPA Government in its National Common Minimum Programme. All the programmes, identified in the list, are to be implemented within next six months.

As per the PMO list, the ministry of health and family welfare is to focus on announcing a National Rural Health Mission, strengthen regulation in the health sector, National AIDS Control Programme, stabilizing population growth, improving control and management of drug administration and reforming recognizing / accrediting agencies for health education / training institutions.

The priority areas for the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers include the timely completion of the task force report on issues related to optimal regulation of pharmaceutical prices and necessary follow up action and completion of the proposed action regarding repeal of the Drugs Control Act 1950.

Creation of a world-class nationwide network and resources for bio-informatics is one of the priority areas for the ministry of science and technology. The DST is also to spend much energy during the next six months to develop models of public private partnerships for collaborative Research & Development between Private Companies and Government Science & Technology Institutions as well as Universities, to share the costs and benefits (Intellectual Property Rights).

Establishing Centres of Excellence and modernization of National Laboratories to strengthen R&D, launch of science and technology development application missions in key areas (including turn key plants for water desalination) covering both global leadership and local transformation and mobilisation of skills and expertise of Indian scientists, technologists and other professionals working abroad for institution building in other projects within the country are also to be taken up by DST soon.

Institutional reform in terms of (i) decentralization, (ii) simplification, (iii) transparency, (iv) accountability and (v) e-governance is going to happen in all the Central Government departments within next six months.