The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has constituted a Task Force on enabling the private sector to lead the growth of pharmaceutical sector in the country.  It is mandated to identify the challenges before the Indian pharmaceutical industry pertaining to various government departments and agencies.

The Task Force, headed by secretary, DoP, will focus on the need for integrated and coordinated thinking to promote the growth of the private sector in pharmaceutical sector.  It has been constituted by the DoP in compliance of the E-Samiksha monitoring system related action point.

The Task Force will identify the challenges before the Indian pharmaceutical industry pertaining to various government departments and agencies. It will also identify ways to ensure better coordination among various government departments and industry to facilitate the industry.

The Task Force has been mandated to identify areas of duplication, if any, among different government agencies and departments on issues relating to pharmaceutical industry including research.  The Task Force will also suggest suitable changes in the administrative arrangements or administrative mandate of government agencies and departments to enable better and coordinated facilitation and support to the industry.

Other terms of reference of the Task Force include, exploring the possibility of having a single window clearance type of facilitation for the industry for the required regulatory approvals; working out the mechanism for a regular and institutionalised forum for government industry partnership where the industry issues can be redressed periodically and in a time bound manner; and exploring the possibility of linking the Indian pharmaceutical industry with various educational and research institutions in the government sector like NIPERs, Research Institutes under Department of Health Research, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology and others.

Other members of the Task Force are representatives of  Union Health Ministry, Union Commerce Ministry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, Planning Commission and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) or his representative. Representatives of industry associations like IPA, IDMA, AIMED, BDMA and FOPE are also members of the Task Force.  

The Task Force has been asked to submit its report in three months' time.