Commerce ministry not in favor of capping of FDI in pharmaceutical sector

17 Aug 2011 Evaluate

The Commerce Ministry is not in favor of capping foreign investment in pharmaceutical sector, however to address the concerns over the Multinational Corporation (MNC) takeover of Indian firms and in order to protect the public health concerns of the country, it will look for alternative route.  In the last few years many profit making drug companies have been buyout by the multinationals. Presently, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) via automatic route is allowed in the Pharmaceutical sector. And currently Indian Pharmaceutical industry is estimated to be around $20 billion. 

To study the impact of the multinational takeovers of the local drug firms, commerce department has commissioned a study to consultancy firm Ernst & Young (E&Y), recommended by pharmaceutical department. Currently the commerce ministry is examining the E&Y report and then it will send its recommendations to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) a nodal agency responsible for FDI-related matters.

Whereas the E&Y report has favored the continuation of 100% FDI in the sector, however, it has recommended that certain vulnerable segments can be taken away from the automatic route.  It has also recommended taking case by case clearance of takeovers by putting such deals under the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route.

Various segments of government including DIPP and the drug industry have raised their concerns over the issue of local drug company’s takeover. Last week, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Srikant Kumar Jena has expressed his concerns over the issue, he said that recent takeovers of Indian companies by MNCs could increase the possibility of other takeovers of domestic firms. Such takeovers would have an impact on the Indian health care scenario as well as on pricing and availability of medicines in the country, he added.

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