India has 15 per cent of entire pool of Hepatitis-B carriers

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) India has nearly 15 per cent of the entire pool of Hepatitis- B virus carriers in the world, the Lok Sabha was informed.

Health Minister A Ramadoss said in a written reply that the government has launched a pilot project of immunisation of Hepatitis B free of cost for children below one year. Hepatitis B vacanation has commenced and is continuing in 15 cities, including Hyderabad, since 2002-03.

The vaccination has commenced in 32 districts,including two districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely Chittor and Vizangaram and Andaman and Nicobar Islands since 2003-04.

The reply was furnished by the Minister yesterday in reply to a question from a Member.

Foreign Drug Patenting In reply to another question, the Minister said about 15 clincal research Organisations are engaged at present in clincal trials in India.

He said Quintiles Corporation, USA, is a clinical reseach organisation engaged in clinical trials of drugs in the country. The company has been allowed to conduct 90 clinical studies so far at 600 sites, involving 5,000 patients in India.

UNI GS RP VC1524