To minimize the manufacture of substandard drugs in the country and making the regulatory control more effective, the 12th Five Year Plan contains substantial provision for further strengthening the drug regulatory system both at central and state level.

Sharing information on this Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said, "The licensing and regulatory control of manufacture of drugs are the subject matter of the State Licensing Authorities and State Drugs Control Departments. The information about the details of the manufacturers are, therefore, not maintained centrally. Further, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) does not regulate the quantum of production of drugs by the drug companies."

The minister further said, "The Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers had constituted a High Powered Inter-ministerial Coordination Committee (HPIMCC) under the chairmanship of the secretary of that department to implement the government's commitment to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the public. As per the available information, the first meeting of the Committee was held on March 29, 2010. Based on the decision taken in that meeting, two Working Groups, viz., Working Group for Quality of Medicines and Working Group for Pricing of Medicines were formed. In its second meeting held on June 26, 2012, the HPIMCC considered the suggestions made in the reports of the two Working Groups. Thereafter, the minutes of that meeting and the Reports of the two Working Groups were conveyed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The suggestions are broadly agreeable."