July 22: The agitating drug manufacturers of Nepal have postponed their protest programmes after the Ministry of Health and Population formed an advisory committee to address their demands.

The Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON) on Tuesday (July 21) decided to defer all protest programmes after the ministry formed the three-member committee headed by joint secretary Dr Bikas Devkota.

Director General of the Department of Drug Administration Narayan Prasad Dhakal and president of APPON Narayan Bahadur Chhetri have been appointed members of the committee.

Chhetri informed New Business Age that they postponed their protest programmes for the time being after the ministry formed the committee to address their demands.

“It is not appropriate to organize protest programmes while we are holding discussion with the government,” said Chhetri, adding, “So, we have decided to postpone the protest programmes for some days from Tuesday.”

The committee is currently studying the demands of the drug manufacturers of Nepal. Director General of DDA Dhakal informed that they are discussing about the demands of the drug manufacturers.

“So far, the committee is involved in discussions. The ministry will take necessary decision based on the recommendation of the committee,” said Dhakal.

The committee is likely to submit its recommendation to Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal on July 22, according to APPON President Chhetri.

“The ministry has agreed to some of our demands. But other demands are yet to be addressed,” said Chhetri. He warned that they would resume their protest if the committee forwards the recommendations without addressing their demands.

One of the major demands of the drug manufacturers is that the government must ban the import of drugs that are produced in significant quantity in Nepal.