In the question below, are given a statement followed by three courses of actions numbered I, II and III. On the basis of the information given, you have to assume everything in the statement to be true, and then decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing. Statement: India’s pharmaceutical sector is now popping out from a shell and making a remarkable recovery. Actually, it has been facing several regulatory challenges in the forms of a recast of foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, pricing policy in the US generics market, patent protection, regulatory approvals and compulsory licensing. Also limited new product launches in the generics space, GST introduction and higher costs associated with regulatory compliance have hurt the sector. Courses of action: I. The government has been engrossed more in policy making and taking resilient decisions for the concerns of the pharma industry. Recently, the government proposed to introduce a new price index for pharmaceutical products, which would serve as a benchmark for determining prices of all medicines sold in the country. II. Meanwhile, pharma companies’ constant investments in R&D have enabled them to develop a basket of robust products for markets across the world. In international markets, pricing pressure on generics sold in the US has eased and this is likely to support the sector. III. Domestic pharma sales grew to Rs. 10,583 crore in May 2018 from Rs. 9,549 crore in the same month last year. The recent clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration to Sun Pharma’s manufacturing plant at Halol in Gujarat brings to an end a two-year import ban it had imposed on the company over quality issues. This is likely to increase sales for the company.
In the question below, are given a statement followed by three courses of actions numbered I, II and III. On the basis of the information given, you have to assume everything in the statement to be true, and then decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing. Statement: India’s pharmaceutical sector is now popping out from a shell and making a remarkable recovery. Actually, it has been facing several regulatory challenges in the forms of a recast of foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, pricing policy in the US generics market, patent protection, regulatory approvals and compulsory licensing. Also limited new product launches in the generics space, GST introduction and higher costs associated with regulatory compliance have hurt the sector. Courses of action: I. The government has been engrossed more in policy making and taking resilient decisions for the concerns of the pharma industry. Recently, the government proposed to introduce a new price index for pharmaceutical products, which would serve as a benchmark for determining prices of all medicines sold in the country. II. Meanwhile, pharma companies’ constant investments in R&D have enabled them to develop a basket of robust products for markets across the world. In international markets, pricing pressure on generics sold in the US has eased and this is likely to support the sector. III. Domestic pharma sales grew to Rs. 10,583 crore in May 2018 from Rs. 9,549 crore in the same month last year. The recent clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration to Sun Pharma’s manufacturing plant at Halol in Gujarat brings to an end a two-year import ban it had imposed on the company over quality issues. This is likely to increase sales for the company. Correct Answer All except III and II
The correct answer is option 4, i.e. All except III and II.
From the statement it is evident that the pharmaceutical sector was facing a lot of problems but is now improving upon its products and research and development in order to continue its survival. Course of action is something that needs to be done keeping the particular situation in mind. Now, from (II) and (III) we understand that these steps like R&D and the removal of ban have already happened and have helped the pharma sector to improve its performance. Moreover, (I) suggests the policy proposed by the government to introduce a new price index for pharmaceutical products, which would serve as a benchmark for determining prices of all medicines sold in the country. Thus, initiative or this particular course of action will further help the pharma sector and is thus the most appropriate answer choice. As both (II) and (III) have been already helping the pharma sector and (I) suggest a further step that can be taken to improve the sector thus, we mark option 4 as our answer choice.