"We want to be 100% sure about the safety and efficacy of plant cellulose because gelatin has been in use for ages. Therefore, we have forwarded all the scientific literature and data to the scientific panel. The committee's recommendations are likely to be final on this matter as it already has an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)," a senior official in the health ministry said.The health ministry will take the final call based on the committee's suggestion. The over Rs 1 lakh crore Indian pharmaceutical industry extensively depends on gelatin.Almost 80% of any pharmaceutical company's products are either capsules or tablets. The Bureau of Indian Standards has already framed standards, norms and guidelines for making vegetarian capsules, the official said.

Source: Times of India June 27, 2017 23:00 UTC