Regulation of Health Related Nano Applications in India : Exploring the Limitations of the Current Regulatory Design

The burgeoning generic drugs and pharmaceuticals sector in India is one of the foremost industrial sectors of the new economy in India along with the IT sector. The growing manufacturing capacity of the health sector in concomitants with the aggressive international expansion strategies through mergers and acquisitions have meant that increasing investment in core R amp; D activities. Industry leaders as well as commentators have reiterated the need to invest in R amp; D activities especially focusing on harnessing new and emerging technologies like nanotechnology in improving current drug delivery systems and other health related products. This trend is also partly a response to the government policy that supports and incentivises the fundamental research and application of emerging technologies. This has been followed by consequent proliferation of nanotechnology R amp; D and application in pharmaceuticals and other related sectors, such as cosmetics, directly impacting health. Nanotechnology applications in drugs and equipment have the potential to have a huge impact on healthcare in India. Recently, nano particle drug delivery system in the form of nanotech-based chemotherapy has been introduced in the Indian markets