Working on a separate policy to promote APIs production: Govt

Government is working on a separate policy to promote and strengthen domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
In a written answer to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Nihal Chand said a committee of secretaries under the chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Health Research has been constituted to look into the matter.
APIs are ingredients used for making drug formulations.
Chand said: "The Committee has been constituted to study and identify APIs of critical importance and to work out a package of interventions/concessions required to build domestic production capabilities and examine the cost implication."
The other members of the panel include Member Secretary National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC), Secretary Department of Pharmaceuticals, Secretary Department of Health, Secretary Department of Commerce, Secretary Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

"The report of the said committee is awaited," Chand said.