Govt to assess the impact of FDI on pharma sector

The committee has further suggested investigating the investments in the brown field pharma projects, and has also highlighted the fact that in no other country a 100% FDI is allowed in the prestigious pharma sector, and has further urged the govt to rationalise the impact of FDI on strategic sectors; which also form the core of providing affordable healthcare in India.

The government is likely to commission a study soon to assess the impact of foreign direct investment in existing pharmaceutical companies in view of concerns expressed on the issue by a Parliamentary panel.

The study is likely to be carried out by an independent expert, sources said.

There are apprehensions that takeovers by MNCs have impacted the generic medicine industry of the country.

The Committee had said that the government should impose a blanket ban on any FDI in brown field pharma projects.

It had also suggested for measures to stop any further takeover/acquisition of domestic pharma units.

In 2008, Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo had bought out the country's largest drug maker Ranbaxy for $4.6 billion.

US-based Abbott Laboratories had acquired Piramal Health Care's domestic business for $3.7 billion. Another US company Mylan bought Matrix Lab while Dabur Pharma was acquired by Singapore's Fresenius and France's Sanofi Aventis purchased Shanta Biotech and Orchid Chemicals by US-based Hospira.