FDI, Make in India, pricing regulation to improve pharmaceutical sector

Bengaluru: Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday said that pricing regulation, FDI policy and 'Make in India' campaign as the three important initiatives taken up by the Narendra Modi government for the pharmaceutical sector.

"The union cabinet has given its approval to amend the existing FDI policy in the pharmaceutical sector in order to cover medical devices. The cabinet has allowed FDI up to 100 per cent under the automatic route for manufacturing of medical devices subject to specified conditions," he said at the India Pharma & India Medical Expo 2016 here.

Ananth Kumar is a member of the Indian political party BJP. He represents the Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka where he has been elected six times consecutively. He assumed office as Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister in 2014 in Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's cabinet.

Ananth Kumar said drugs and pharmaceuticals sector attracted cumulative FDI inflows worth $12,813.02 million between April 2000 and December 2014, according to the data provided by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

The expo supported by the commerce ministry, EEPC and Pharmexcil, hosted buyers from 18 nations.

Jointly organised by the department of pharmaceuticals and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the expo saw participation from 60 CEOs, 50 senior officials from embassies and consulates and over 100 international delegates among others.(IANS)