The Department of Pharmaceuticals has formulated some new schemes aiming at promoting research and development activities of pharma companies, especially the small and the medium, and has set apart Rs 20 crore for the purpose.

The department has already forwarded the proposed schemes to the Planning Commission for 'in principle approval'. The scheme will be launched as soon as it gets approval from the Commission, sources said, without further elaborating on the nature of the scheme and the eligibility criteria. "The overall purpose is to further promote the R&D activities, which are less happening in the SME sector at present," an official said.

On the measures to boost the R&D in the sector by the government, he said the DoP is coordinating constantly with the other departments like Science and Technology, DBT, Ayush, health research which are also running various schemes and having separate outlays for research in the pharma sector.

"There are 58 companies having R&D centres approved by the DSIR. However, only about 15 are carrying out research in new drugs and have built up impressive infrastructure and expertise in chemical research, fermentation research, new drug discovery and other areas. The therapeutic areas in which these companies have developed lead molecules are malaria, urology, metabolic, obesity, inflammation and pain, cardiovascular indications, cancer, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, respiratory infections, skin infections, anti-migraine, anti-TB and anti-psoriasis," he said.

The proposed new scheme would extend some financial assistance to the small companies engaged in pharmaceutical research. The quantum of the assistance to be given and other details would be announced after getting the approval from the Planning Commission. "The department is also trying to get more funds for this scheme in the coming years after it takes off," he said.