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Union chemicals and fertilizers minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that domestic pharmaceutical companies should focus on the quality and development of innovative products which offer more value in global markets. He said if the industry consolidates its research initiatives, it can further offer solutions in the global market.

Mandaviya said ‘we are there in terms of volumes with generic products. We are already exporting medications in containers. I wish the industry in the coming days will come with innovative products where one small envelope of formulations is equal to a container in terms of value.’ He noted that the pharma industry is just not a commercial activity but is responsible for taking care of the health of the citizens.

Elaborating on the role of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the minister said the organization is critical as it deals with the pricing of pharmaceutical products in the country. The NPPA is mandated to fix/revise the prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and enforce the prices and availability of medicines in the country. It also monitors the prices of decontrolled drugs to keep them at reasonable levels. The regulator implements and enforces the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order. It is also entrusted with the task of recovering amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the controlled drugs.