Union government is formulating a policy for traceability in packaging for the pharmaceutical sector. The traceability norms are expected to put an end to the undesirable use of recycled bottles by the pharmaceutical companies.

Though the same Manmohan Singh government is all set to continue in the office after its thumping victory, the much awaited national pharmaceutical policy which has been pending since 2002 will have to go through another full circle of process and all progress made so far will have little impact.

Although the US FDA office in India may start its operations in the next few months, that is unlikely to expedite the disposal of approvals of Indian companies as expected, it is learnt.

Introducing highly expensive patented drugs that show little or no improvement over existing ones -- or attempts to evergreen patents -- is getting tougher for multinationals.