Shri* Ashok Kumar is an IAS officer of the 1974 batch (Bihar cadre) presently, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Pharmaceuticals.
He is post graduate in Economics from the Patna University. He started his career as a college Teacher & later joined the I.A.S. Shri Ashok Kumar has served the Government of India as Chairman, NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority), earlier as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industry (1995-2000) and as Deputy Secretary/Director, Ministry of Commerce (1985-90). He has done consultancy assignments for International Trade Centre, Geneva and has experience as Senior Adviser to UNIDO. Shri Ashok Kumar has been National Program Director in India of the National Leather Development Programme (UNDP's largest programme in the world). In addition, has varied experience in the State Government in Bihar as Industrial Development Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Sugarcane, Managing Director of State Industrial Development Corporation, Directorate of Industries, Mines & Geology, Irrigation & Water Resources, Home & Personnel Department, apart from field assignments in the Districts, Divisional Commissioner, Chairman of the Command Area Development Authority & Vice-Chancellor of a University.
Department of Pharmaceuticals has been created recently by Government of India with a view to put greater focus on this important sector. The Department has been assigned several new functions including promotion of research, education and training, public-private partnership, international cooperation, intersectoral cooperation etc. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) endeavors to formulate and implement policies and programs for achieving growth and development of the domestic Pharmaceutical sector in the Country along with ensuring adequate availability of medicines at reasonable prices to the consumers. DoP is also engaged in some of the newer areas of responsibilities pertaining to Pharmaceuticals Research and Development (R&D), Education, training and capacity building in pharmaceuticals sector related environment and disaster management, as well as promoting Pharma exports.
* Shri is equivalent to Mr. as per the Indian Salutation/Title.
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