Stiff penalties for fake drug makers

New Delhi: Parliament is expected to see two important legislations from the Health Ministry tabled this session. The first Bill seeks to bring in stricter punishments for spurious drug manufacturers which include a fine of Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment., the Health Minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, informed Lok Sabha.The second Bill will set up a Central Drug Authority which will make the Drug Controller-General of India office an autonomous body and enhance its powers. Dr Ramadoss said the drug industry contributed almost 2.5 per cent of the GDP with an estimated turnover of Rs 36,000 crore.