A Parliamentary panel has asked the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to formulate a time-bound action plan to restrict the import of raw materials for drug manufacturing and consider options to allow import only under “extreme circumstances”.

In a recent report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee attached to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers also expressed displeasure on the DoP for not addressing the issue of import of raw materials, despite the earlier recommendation by the panel in this regard.

“The Committee notes that the Department is conveniently silent over the issue concerning import of raw material for production of medicine. Since imported raw material would necessarily contribute to the cost component of the medicine which is ultimately passed on to the common consumers, it is but imperative that the import of raw material for production of medicine is resorted to only under extreme circumstances,” the report said.

“The Committee, therefore, reiterates their earlier recommendation that raw material for production of medicines may be imported only when the same is absolutely necessary for the purpose. The Committee desire that the Department should formulate time bound action plan in this regard. The Committee would like to be apprised of the action taken by the Department in this regard,” the panel said.

The Department in its action taken note to the panel said that Ernst and Young Limited was engaged as a global level consultant to prepare a detailed project report to enhance the national potential for drug discovery and innovation.

“The Committee had noted that the imports of ‘Medicinal and Pharmaceuticals Products’ had risen by 29.43 per cent in the year 2011-12 as compared to the previous year. Although the country is almost self-sufficient in production of most of formulations/pharmaceuticals products, imports were resorted to on quality and economic considerations. However, the Committee is of the view that the import of raw material for production of medicine should be resorted only if the same is absolutely necessary for the purpose. In this context, the Committee had desired that the Department should encourage innovation and also intensive research and development in the field of pharma sector so that cheap but quality inputs are available within the country itself for production of cheap but quality medicines for the benefit of the common man in the country,” the panel said.