New Delhi,Nov 15 (PTI) The Government today said there is no move "at present" to restrict foreign direct investment in the pharmaceutical sector despite suggestions for a cap.

"At present, there is no move to restrict FDI in the pharmaceuticals sector," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

As per the present policy, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in drugs and pharmaceuticals sector. Besides, the approval is given through an automatic route.

However, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has issued a discussion paper listing cap on the FDI in pharmaceuticals as one of the options before the country.

Scindia said some of the responses from the stakeholders have suggested "an FDI cap and bringing the sector under the government route".

Foreign direct investment in pharmaceuticals remains permitted via automatic route; no present government move to restrict. The Government stated there is no present move to restrict foreign direct investment in the pharmaceuticals sector and confirmed that current policy permits FDI to be admitted via the automatic approval route. A Departmental discussion paper has listed a possible FDI cap as an option, and stakeholder responses have suggested imposing a cap and moving the sector to a government-route approval mechanism.