Pharma sector study will help boost competition, ensure drug affordability: CCI Chief

Gupta noted that the study on the pharmaceutical sector was initiated " because of observable demand-side issues, such as lack of effective consumer choice".;

Published On 2021-11-09 07:53 GMT | Update On 2021-11-09 07:53 GMT

New Delhi: Fair trade regulator CCI will identify measures to enhance competition in the country's pharmaceutical sector for ensuring affordability of drugs after analysing findings of its market study, which is likely to be completed within a month, according to its chief Ashok Kumar Gupta.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI), which keeps a tab on unfair business practices as well as promotes fair competition across sectors, initiated the pharmaceutical sector study after observing issues such as lack of "effective consumer choice".

Gupta said CCI is close to completing its study on the country's pharmaceutical sector and is likely to be concluded within a month.

"After analysing the findings of the study, we (CCI) plan to come out with observations on various aspects in the sector that can improve market outcomes.

"Currently, it appears that, when it comes to medicines, competition is primarily on the basis of brands and not prices. The study will identify measures to increase competition for ensuring affordability of drugs," the CCI chairperson told PTI in an interview.

Market studies were initiated in the pharmaceutical and telecom sectors, given their significance in the "new COVID-19-induced socio-economic milieu".

Gupta noted that the study on the pharmaceutical sector was initiated "because of observable demand-side issues, such as lack of effective consumer choice".

The watchdog has been supplementing enforcement actions by commissioning market studies to have a better understanding about market structures and competition issues.

The study on the telecom space was started amid rapid advancements in technology and the fast-changing market dynamics in the space that have become more pronounced due to the pandemic.

In 2020, the regulator completed its study on the e-commerce space wherein the aim was to have a better understanding about the novel competition issues in the wake of growing importance of digital platform-centric commerce.

The study revealed bargaining power imbalance and information asymmetry between platforms and their businesses as among the emerging issues.

"Exercising the advocacy mandate, CCI nudged e-commerce platforms to institute a set of self-regulatory measures over certain areas such as search ranking, collection/ use/ sharing of data, user preview mechanisms, revision of contract terms and discount policy," Gupta said.

As the watchdog steps up efforts to curb unfair business ways, the CCI chief also emphasised that the implementation of advocacy as a non-intrusive measure has enabled and brought a trust-based, acceptable and inclusive competition compliance regime all stakeholders.

Considering that government policies and legislations, formulated with certain stated objectives, might inadvertently restrict competition, the regulator engages with the government to identify possible competition issues.

"Ex-ante competition assessment of draft/ proposed legislations/ policies for identifying competition issues and recommending pro-competitive measures is thus a key area of engagement with the government as part of the advocacy mandate of CCI," Gupta said.

Article Source : PTI

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Ruchika Sharma

Ruchika Sharma joined Medical Dialogue as an Correspondent for the Business Section in 2019. She covers all the updates in the Pharmaceutical field, Policy, Insurance, Business Healthcare, Medical News, Health News, Pharma News, Healthcare and Investment. She has completed her B.Com from Delhi University and then pursued postgraduation in M.Com. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Gilead Sciences gets USFDA nod for new Biktarvy indication for people with HIV who are treatment experienced, restarting antiretroviral treatment

2025-08-02 07:00 GMT

Pharma sector study will help boost competition, ensure drug affordability: CCI Chief

Gupta noted that the study on the pharmaceutical sector was initiated " because of observable demand-side issues, such as lack of effective consumer choice".;

Similar News

Health Ministry Notifies Cosmetics Rules 2025, Empowers States To Suspend Licences

Biodeal Told To Justify Novel Delivery Claim In NPPA Exemption Plea For Midazolam Nasal Spray

CDSCO Panel Accepts Phase I Trial Data for Intas' Denosumab Biosimilar

Torrent Pharma: USFDA concludes inspection at Vizag facility with zero observations

Gilead Sciences gets USFDA nod for new Biktarvy indication for people with HIV who are treatment experienced, restarting antiretroviral treatment

USFDA issues 4 observations for Jubilant Generics Roorkee facility

Granules India arm gets 1 USFDA observation for Hyderabad facility

CDSCO Panel Clears PURE & CURE's Sickle Cell Trial With Conditions On Sample Size, Sites