Govt mulling to divest stake in 2 pharma units, says Union Health Minister
Mandaviya did not name any company which the government plans to divest or share any other details on the stage at which the proposals are at present.
Mumbai: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said the government is mulling divesting a stake in up to two public sector units engaged in the pharma sector. The thinking is driven by a desire to not be in business but act as a facilitator for businesses, Mandaviya said addressing the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit organised by IPA here.
"Government has 1-2 plants. We are moving in the direction of divesting in those and let the private sector operate them," he said.
He, however, did not name any company which the government plans to divest or share any other details on the stage at which the proposals are at present.
Mandaviya also said that quality is of paramount importance for India, and asked the industry to come together to form a self-regulatory organisation to take care of concerns on this aspect.
When asked about the recent concerns expressed by World Health Organisation following deaths in Gambia due to cough syrups manufactured in India, Mandaviya said the media reports and ground realities are often different.
He said the government had sought evidence on the same issue, but is yet to get any.
The minister also pointed out that the cause of death for the patients has been specified as Diarrhoea, and wondered why they were administered cough syrups at all in the first place.
"If someone is guilty, they will not be spared," the minister assured.
He said the government is very serious about quality and has carried out risk based assessments at 150 plants across the country, of which 70 for show cause notices and 18 were shut down.
To further strengthen the quality of the pharma products, the Centre and states have created dedicated squads to keep tabs, he added.
Companies which are not serious about quality have no right to be in the business, Mandaviya warned.
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