Govt sets up panel to fix patented drug prices

The government on Tuesday said it has set up an inter-ministerial committee of Joint Secretaries for suggesting ways and means to fix prices of patented drugs in the country.

"To address the issue of price negotiation mechanisms for patented drugs, an Inter-ministerial Committee of Joint Secretaries has been set up ... to suggest ways and means to fix the prices of patented drugs in the country," Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The minister was replying to a question whether the government proposes to regulate the prices of patented drugs in the country.

When asked if drug manufacturers from some countries, including the US, have expressed displeasure over the issue of being denied grant of patent for certain drugs for which Indian companies are producing generic drugs, Ahir said: "No, Madam".