In order to give vegetarian alternative to people, government is now considering a proposal to replace animal based gelatin with plant cellulose for the coating of capsules.

The proposal already has an approval from the country’s top drug regulator and it has now been forwarded by the union health minister to a scientific committee headed by professor C K Kokate.

According to a statement given by senior official in the health ministry in one of the daily newspaper, "We want to be 100% sure about the safety and efficacy of plant cellulose because gelatin has been in use for ages. Therefore, we have forwarded all the scientific literature and data to the scientific panel. The committee's recommendations are likely to be final on this matter as it already has an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)”

“The proposal forwarded to the scientific panel for evaluation includes all such suggestions along with data. While the proposal has the support of various quarters within the government, it has been so far opposed by the pharmaceutical industry as it is estimated to add to their manufacturing cost. The cost may not be significant with the technology available, and it would not be mandatory for companies. The idea is to provide consumers with a choice, especially when the technology is available. The over Rs 1 lakh crore Indian pharmaceutical industry extensively depends on gelatin”, he added