The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill (NBRA Bill), which could not be introduced during the last session as the corruption related issues took precedence over other issues, is likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament which begins today as it has found a place among the tentative list for transaction of business for the winter session.
Even though several important Bills related to pharma and health sectors are waiting in the wings to be introduced in Parliament for its final nod, only one major Bill, NBRA Bill, has found a place among the tentative list for transaction of business for the winter session. A total of 24 new bills have been listed in the tentative list for transaction for this session.
Apart from the NBRA Bill, another relatively unimportant Bill that has been included in the tentative list for introduction is the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2011 which is being introduced to provide for the establishment of an institution of national importance to be known as the Regional Centre for Bio-Technology for training and education as a category II institution under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to undertake research in the field of bio-technology and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Meanwhile, one Bill which was earlier introduced in Parliament and referred to standing committees may get the final nod during this winter session. It is the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010 , which was introduced on December 7, 2010 (the Report of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare was laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on March 4, 2011). This Bill has been listed for consideration and passing.
The NBRA Bill is being introduced to establish Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India to regulate research, import, transport, use of organism and product produced from modern biotechnology. It seeks to set up the NBRA as an independent, autonomous, statutory agency to safeguard the health and safety of the people and to regulate the safe development and deployment of biotechnology products and processes in the country. Once in place, the Authority will have overriding powers on matters related to the development and deployment of biotechnology products and processes in the country.
The chances of other bills related to pharma and health sectors making into the Parliament during this session are bleak as there are several other important Bills related to other ministries, especially the controversial Lokpal Bill, waiting to be introduced during the session.
Other important Bills waiting for introduction in Parliament include ART Bill, HIV/AIDS Bill, Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research on Human Subjects Bill, Central Drug Authority (CDA) Bill, etc.
Source:Pharmabiz
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