Govt to announce new drug policy soon, says Paswan

https://www.oneindia.com/2006/06/17/collector-holds-parleys-on-civic-polls-1150547694.htmlAmritsar, Jun 17 (UNI) Union Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilizers Ram Vilas Paswan today said a new drug policy regarding life saving drugs would be announced during the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

Talking to newsmen after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here, the Union Minister stated that the Government had identified 354 life saving drugs and all efforts would be made to control the prices of such medicines. At present, only 74 such drugs were under the control of the government, he said, adding a new policy would be essential in the wake of the patent law and drugs of foreign companies.

Under the new policy, the government would control the prices of such medicine with a reasonable profit to manufacturers in order to provide cheoper health facilities to people.

He also expressed concern over rise in prices of steel saying that two-third of steel production in the country is under the control of big houses like Tata, ISPAT and JINDAL, whereas goverment controls only over one-third share of the production.

He hoped that prices of steel would decline as the major demand was from China due to the 2008 olympics.

UNI XC DP SHR PM1812