A chemical ministry-appointed high-level panel has virtually shot down the existing foreign models on price negotiations for patented drugs and medical devices before granting marketing approvals, and is now working to evolve an Indian-specific mechanism.

However, the effort in this regard is likely to get further delayed with the committee for the purpose is still far from finalising the modalities of the mechanism after a number of sittings. The panel, headed by deputy secretary in the chemicals department, was to hold its fifth meeting on April 29. But it was postponed because of the meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on pharma policy on April 30.

Sources said the meeting could not be held because of the pressing engagements in connection with the GoM meeting but it would be held soon. However, indications are that it is unlikely to finalise anything in the next meeting also, as it needs more time to work out suggestions.

It is also learnt that the panel had already studied the models existing in other countries and found that they were not suitable for India. Given the `typical Indian conditions and problems', the panel was looking to frame a different pattern for the country.

The panel, formed to explore the possibility of price negotiations for patented drugs and medical devices before granting marketing approval, has DCGI, NIPER representative, NPPA director, Pharmexcil executive director, additional industrial advisor in the chemicals department, under secretary (PI) and a representative of the department of industrial policy and promotion as members.

Sources also indicated that the panel would not go again for consultations with the industry or NGOs as it already had enough inputs from them. Apart from taking suggestions from the associations, one other task of the panel so far was to study the patterns abroad. Having finished these tasks, now the panel is expected to go into the actual work of suggesting the best possible system for the country.

The panel, already lagging behind the original schedule by one year, held meetings on March 15, April 10, and December 12 last year and January 24 this year. The group was expected to submit its recommendations last year, but remained headless for many months after the transfer of the former chairman who was the director in the Chemicals department. Then it was reconstituted under the present chairman.

The pharma associations were not so much enthused with the idea and many of them had expressed their views against it during the consultations in the earlier stage.