The recently reformed Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, led by Lok Sabha member Kirti Azad Jha, is set to explore critical issues within the pharmaceutical sector. These include the rising cost of medications and the pressing need for tighter regulatory reforms, among other key subjects targeted during its current session.
Last month, the Standing Committee met and earmarked six focus areas for an in-depth review. These topics fall under the central theme related to the Department of Pharmaceuticals for the 2024-25 term and are part of a broader list of 23 subjects under examination across the three divisions: the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the Department of Fertilizers, and the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.
For this year, the committee will address the consequential increase in pharmaceutical prices that burden everyday citizens, assess the current regulatory body’s roles and the imperative for reform, as well as scrutinize the regulation against counterfeit medications.
In addition, the committee will examine topics such as achieving self-reliance in manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) via initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, evaluate the progress of National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) since its establishment, and focus on the holistic growth of the pharmaceutical industry with a priority on quality control and safety standards. Promoting indigenous and traditional medicine practices also features on the agenda.
The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, one of 24 Department Related Standing Committees, comprises 31 members: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
Under its jurisdiction are three ministry departments: fertilizers, chemicals and petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Its duties involve reviewing the grant demands of these departments and reporting to the Houses, examining bills referred by the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker, reviewing ministry annual reports, and formulating reports based on national policy documents referred by the parliamentary heads.
Historically, reports generated by the Committee have significantly influenced the pharmaceutical sector and drug regulation within the country, shedding light on issues like irrational fixed-dose combinations and challenges with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).