Govt targets fake drugs makers with new Bill
The Union government will introduce a new Bill with severe penalties against makers and sellers of fake and spurious drugs in the next session of Parliament, as part of a package of five health and pharmaceutical legislations aimed at tightening regulations related to drug approvals, manufacturing, functioning of hospitals, practising doctors, diagnostic centres, and even paramedical staff in the country.
The most crucial one among all the proposed legislative changes is the amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which will sharply increase penalties for those involved in spurious and counterfeit drug trade.
By Bhuma Shrivastava
6 July 2007