It also suggested that the share of healthcare spend be increased from 2% to 3% of the total budget. Indian drug-makers are heavily dependent on China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Players are now wary of their over reliance on China and have suggested that new investment in manufacturing of APIs be incentivised. Till 2004, it had a share of 42 per cent in the country's pharmaceutical production. Other suggestions include exempting the medicine samples given to the Doctors from Goods and Services Tax (GST), as its cost is already accounting in the manufacturing cost of the batch.

Source: dna January 30, 2018 01:07 UTC