New Delhi: In a bid to ease access to certain patented drugs, the government has allowed issuing global tenders for the procurement of 120 drugs. Anti-diabetic drug Semaglutide was approved after the health ministry raised concerns over the lack of domestic alternatives.

The finance ministry had notified the decision last week, people familiar with the matter told ET.

This will make it easier for people in India to buy medicines that are either not available in the country because they are patented, or are not being produced here because of non-patentability. Technical barriers”This will open doors for different products and benefit Indian patients,” said an industry insider.

of the government Public Procurement Policy places restrictions on Global Tender As part of the strategy to boost domestic industry, goods and services worth up to Rs 200 crore will be sourced.

The 120 drugs for which global tenders can now be issued include anti-diabetic drug dulaglutide, Evrysdi used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, Fabrazyme for Fabry disease, Kadisil for breast cancer, Lemtrada for multiple sclerosis and Semaglutide used to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity.

Also exempt are certain vaccines, including the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which can prevent cervical cancer, and the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against serious diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis, according to those quoted earlier.

According to the ministry, this exemption will remain valid till March 31, 2027, unless any other order is issued in this regard. However, this relaxation in the policy is subject to the approval of the Secretary (Coordination), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

“The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare The notice issued on June 7 said, “The government has requested exemption for purchase of 120 medicines. General exemptions have been granted.”

This step has been taken after several meetings. Department of Pharmaceuticals It was attended by stakeholders from Indian and multinational companies, as mentioned earlier.

Anil Matai, Director General of the organization pharmaceutical manufacturers in india (OPPI) called it a good decision.

“We applaud the Department of Pharmaceuticals for its transparency in this matter. We are happy with the process and outcome of exempting certain drugs,” he said. “Furthermore, the new guidelines to review the drug list every three years instead of annually will contribute significantly to ensuring that Indian patients continue to have access to essential medicines. We believe this is a very positive step for the sector.”

In 2020, the government made some changes in the interest of the public. Procurement Policy In order to boost the business of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), global tenders have been prohibited for goods and services worth up to Rs 200 crore. Medium Enterprises As part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package.