India's pharmaceutical sector has developed over time due to growing healthcare needs and increasing industrial advancements. Before independence, the pharmaceutical industry in India was largely unregulated, and there was no proper system to ensure drug quality, safety, and efficacy.
As a result, substandard and spurious drugs were widespread.
To address these issues, several committees were formed to examine the state of pharmaceuticals and healthcare, ultimately shaping the current legislative framework.
These committees proposed reforms that led to the establishment of acts and rules such as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
The evolution of pharmaceutical legislation can be studied through various important committees, including:
Drugs Enquiry Committee (Chopra Committee - 1930–1931)
Health Survey and Development Committee (Bhore Committee - 1943)
Mudaliar Committee (1959)
Hathi Committee (1975)
Each of these committees provided key recommendations that shaped the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare policies in India.