The Parliament has passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021, with passing of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha today and on 6th December in the Lok Sabha.<br />''<br />''The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to amend the original act of 1998 to declare six additional National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance.  These institutes are located in Ahmedabad, Hajipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati and Raebareli. The Bill also provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes to ensure development of pharmaceutical education and research.<br />''<br />''Replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that the NIPERs are for strengthening and enhancing research in the Pharma sector, in the country. The Minister said, the Government heard and facilitated the vaccine research and manufacturing sectors to fight the pandemic. Highlighting the importance of indigenously manufactured medicines, he said, with the measures taken by Prime Minister Modi led government, the country could administer 85 percent of population with first dose and 52 percent were fully vaccinated against Covid-19.<br />''<br />''Referring to generic medicine manufacturing, the Minister said, more than 40 percent of the generic medicines being made available in the US are made in India. He said, institutes like NIPER would help small pharmaceutical companies in research and manufacture of both generic and high cost medicines. Mr. Mandaviya said, the Government is also contemplating a separate programme on funded research of drugs and medicines to make the country the Pharmaceutical capital of the world.<br />''<br />''Earlier, initiating the discussion, Neeraj Dangi of Congress said, focus must be laid on pharma research and education. Dr Fauzia Khan of NCP said, India's rankings in global standards are far below, especially in regard to research. She suggested efforts and encouragement to inculcate research from education institutes. Ramkumar Verma of BJP said, vaccine manufacturing in India helped the country as well as the world. Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar of Telugu Desam Party suggested measures to enhance investments in the Pharma sector. Shwait Malik of BJP said, Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, Swasthaya Bharat and Vishwa Guru aims are addressed in the NIPER Bill. Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party said, reservation must be ensured in the institutes. BSP MP Ramji also participated in the discussion.