New Delhi, Feb. 5 -- India's highest decision-making body on technical matters related to medicines ceased to exist in October after its three-year term came to an end, grinding to a halt all drugs-related policy activities in the country ever since.

The Union health ministry is now in the process of reconstituting the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) after the lapse was highlighted during a meeting of the drugs consultative committee in January, according to three officials familiar with the matter.

The drugs consultative committee is constituted by the Union government to advise the Centre, the states, and DTAB on matters related to administering the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. DTAB, a statutory body, in turn advises the Union gover...