Madras HC orders formation of panel to ensure self-reliance in cancer drugs

In its judgment the court said India can not be dependent on China for APIs and ordered the formation of a five member committee to ensure self-reliance

The Madras High Court's Justice N Kirubakaran has said that India has emerged as a pioneer in pharmaceuticals. Yet, for the basic ingredients of medicine making, it is heavily dependent on imports from China. This dependency handicaps us. It also makes our patients vulnerable if tensions escalate between the two countries. He also ordered formation of a 5-member committee to help bring foreign exchange for the country and to ensure India's self-reliance when it comes to cancer drugs.

In his 226-page order Justice Kirubakaran on a couple of writ petitions moved by Chennai-based Vinkem Labs, directed the constitution of a