New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- Pharmaceutical companies and other entities seeking drug approvals will now face debarment from filing further applications with central and state authorities if they submit fake or fabricated data, the health ministry said on Thursday.

This assumes significant for India's $60-billion pharmaceutical market, as the government aims to clean up the approval system and ensure drug safety and quality.

As part of the plan, the Union ministry of health and family welfare has notified amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, empowering regulatory bodies to penalize entities that submit fraudulent documents when applying for approvals and to improve the accuracy and openness of the drug regulation system.

The ministry emphasize...