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

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3348
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.5.2006

Research on Medicines

3348. SHRI RAKESH SINGH :

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

(a) whether the research work, particularly research on medicines has become costly and India is dependent on developed countries in this regard;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to formulate a scheme to make the country self-reliant in this field; and

(c) if so, the details thereof ?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) The research work for developing new medicines is a capital intensive and long drawn process. The requirement of huge data generation during pre clinical and clinical studies and Good Laboratory Practices/Good Clinical Practices compliant facilities have contributed to increase in cost of research on medicine. India is not dependent on developed countries in this regard but cooperates with developed countries in order to accelerate the pace of drug research in the country.

(b)&(c): Yes Sir, Government have taken several steps to make the country self-reliant in drug research by introducing new programmes for drugs and pharmaceuticals R&D such as establishment of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Support Fund in Department of Science & Technology, New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiatives in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Small Business Innovative Research Initiatives in Department of Biotechnology, Research Fellowships for human resource development and Weighted Tax Deduction under Income Tax Act for drug research and development.