India to see massive boost in drug manufacturing, says Health Minister

With India's capacity to manufacture medicines at competitive prices and drugs worth $80 million going off-patents soon, there is a big opportunity for investment in the drug manufacturing sector, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on January 9, reported by the Business Standard, The Hindu and other local media.

"The government has already cleared the desk by streamlining and strengthening of the regulatory framework with international credence," he said, addressing delegates at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in New Delhi.

Mr Azad noted that the drug regulatory framework in the country is in the process of modernization and strengthening. "Regulatory norms and procedures are being harmonised with the international requirements like that of international conference on harmonisation taskforce," he said.