(a) whether the Government/National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) proposes to introduce online system in pharma sector for seeking price approvals/ launching new drugs in the market;
(b) if so, the salient features and the objectives thereof;
(c) whether the online system would be able to regulate drug manufacturing industry; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which online system is likely to be beneficial to the consumers as well as pharma industry?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) to (d): National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority(NPPA) is in the process of developing on-line database system wherein pharma manufacturers and/or marketers would be required to submit prescribed information periodically in respect of compliance of various provisions of DPCO,2013. The online system will enable NPPA to effectively monitor price compliance under the Drugs (Prices control) Order, 2013 which will ultimately benefit the consumer. The price approval process for new drugs is not part of the present project under development.