India & drug pricing : Now, list of essential meds questioned

In continuation of the challenges arising from the roll-out of India's new drug pricing policy, a question has now been raised on the current National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) that specifies the universe of drugs under price control. "Some may argue that the NLEM is not appropriately designed," said Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary, Department …

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Guest column : Analysing India’s proposed ‘new and improved’ drugs legislation

The Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 29, is finally open to comments from the public on wide-ranging legislation that covers the regulation of drugs, cosmetics and medical equipment. This Bill is overdue given the shambles in which the current system finds itself.  What is it? The core objective of …

Guest column : India’s new regulatory environment hostile to clinical trials

Since January 2013, Indian regulatory authorities have announced a spate of laws and guidelines that will make a huge impact on the clinical trial sector in India. These changes are the need of hour. If made in a pro-active manner over a period of several years, various stakeholders such as the industry, investigators and ethics …

Sanofi’s not a “colonial company,” says CEO Chris Viehbacher

Chris Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sanofi, signalled his company's continued interest in India as an investment destination and healthcare market in spite of challenges facing foreign-owned pharmaceutical companies in the country such as foreign direct investment (FDI) restrictions and drug price controls. He also drew attention to his company's local manufacturing investments to …