Policies must be proactive, transparent: Drug Controller

Mumbai: Regulations should be evolved through a consensus, besides being aligned to global standards, said Dr M. Venkateswarlu, the recently appointed Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Speaking at the CII-Pharma meet, he said that policies needed to be more proactive and transparent. He also called for further discussions between the industry and the Government on pending issues like clinical trials.

Dr Brian Tempest, Chief Mentor of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, said that India had a research advantage and this was the time to capitalise on the opportunity available.

Drug-maker Nicholas Piramal India Ltd's Chairman, Mr Ajay Piramal, said that the company expected over 45 per cent of its turnover to come from contract-manufacturing deals for other companies.

Also at the meet, Mr John Morris, KPMG's Global Chair - Pharma, said that Indian pharma companies were increasingly becoming visible globally and they had a huge sectoral advantage.