The New Year will set the ball rolling on many legal cases that impact the pharmaceutical industry in India. First off are the cases involving online pharmacies, with traditional pharmacies contesting their operations under the present avatar of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. More clarity is expected as these cases are heard and concluded, even as the Government gets on with its job of framing rules for the segment.

An ongoing case involving the Pharmaceutical Policy is also at the Supreme Court, with civil society contesting the very formula set by the Government for price control. This plays out even as the Government attempts to put out a more industry-friendly policy framework, in the face of resistance from pro-patient groups. But in an election year, progress here may be limited. Other existing cases involving clinical trials and fixed-dose combination drugs are also in the legal arena, and their outcomes will have ramifications on the industry. On a company-specific note, the year will also see cases involving the Singh brothers, erstwhile promoters of Ranbaxy and Fortis, make some progress. Having been a poster-boy company for the Indian industry at one point, the proceedings between the Ranbaxy promoters and Japanese company Daiichi Sankyo on their deal gone sour will be a development that many industry watchers will follow.

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