New Delhi: India’s drug pricing regulator to be moved to health ministryThe PMO plans to transfer India’s apex drug pricing regulator from the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers to the health ministry because it has the technical expertise needed to take decisions on drug pricing. Discussions in the PMO have begun to move the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and department of pharmaceuticals to the health ministry. This is a part of rationalizing drug safety and pricing as the Drug Controller General of India -- responsible for approving trials, licensing, drug safety, manufacturing standards, and sale, import and distribution of drugs --.is art of the health ministry. Confirming the development, a source in the health ministry said, “Yes. The PMO is thinking about the transfer and this is a step in the right direction.”The health ministry had for long wanted to be given charge of these two drug regulatory bodies.

Source: Hindustan Times April 06, 2017 12:56 UTC