GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1601
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15-07-2009

GUIDELINES TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
1601. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether guidelines have been issued by the Government to encourage research and development projects of small and medium pharma units in the field of bulk Drugs;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the details of funds sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology for research and development projects under the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme during the last three years and the current year, year-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARCH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The government have issued detailed guidelines regarding the Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Research Programme to enable drugs and pharma industry including small and medium pharma units in the area of bulk drugs to avail soft loans for R&D projects, grants-in-aid for clinical trials (Phase-I, II & III) to develop new drugs for neglected diseases of tropical region and to undertake collaborative R&D projects with public funded research institutes / universities and industry. The soft loans are provided upto 70% of the total project cost @ 3% simple interest per annum. The repayment commences after the project period and the total amount including the interest is recovered in 10 annual instalments. This information is also available in the website www.dst.gov.in.
(c) The details of funds sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology for research and development projects under the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme during the last three years (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09) and the current year (2009-10) are given below:-