Experts discuss Regulatory Reforms, Ease of Doing Business during Health & Wellness Week at India Pavilion

The India Pavilion at EXPO2020 Dubai yesterday hosted a roundtable, ‘India –Pharmacy  of the world’ as part of the ongoing Health & Wellness week, wherein several government and industry experts discussed the key focus areas including regulatory reforms, pharma exports, ease of doing business, R&D financing mechanisms and clinical trial scenario in India.

In his virtual address, Shri N Yuvraj, Joint Secretary (Policy, Medical Device, Pharma Bureau), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India (GoI) said, “The current valuation of the Indian pharma industry is USD 41 billion, which has the potential to grow up to USD 130 billion by 2030. There is a strong potential for further growth for the industry, but it should be in a holistic manner from across the value chain.”

“Under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat mission, we are increasing our domestic production by reducing our import dependence to make products not only for India but also for the world. The Department of Pharmaceuticals is working on a dedicated national R&D policy for the sector to ensure that India will soon position itself as an ideal destination for collaborations and alliances in the pharmaceutical industry,” he added.

Talking about the regulatory reforms in India virtually, Dr Rubina Bose, Deputy Drugs Controller (India) at Central Drugs Standard Control Organization said, “We have taken various measures to streamline the drug regulatory system in the country by ensuring transparency, accountability and promote innovations, scientific and ethical research. These measures are aligned with the National Health Policy, which aims to improve and strengthen the regulatory environment for easing drugs and devices manufacturing while promoting ‘Make in India’.”

Addressing the area of pharma exports and ease of doing business virtually, Shri Uday Bhaskar, Director General, Pharmexcil, Ministry of Commerce, GoI said, “India is doing extremely well in the pharma export. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is continuing the legacy of providing the medicines at a very affordable price not only to the underdeveloped countries and the developing countries but also to the well-developed and highly regulated markets.”

“Going ahead, we need to focus on biologics and complex generics, hence we have to work towards spending and supporting the industry particularly in R&D and innovation,” he added.

The roundtable was also attended by Mr Taher Karampurwala, Cluster Head – APAC and MENA, Cipla along with other dignitaries, who joined the session virtually including Dr Dulal Panda, Director, NIPER Mohali, Dr Manish Diwan, Head – Strategy Partnership & Entrepreneurship Development, BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, GoI, Shri Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India, Dr Murali Ramachandra, CEO, Aurigene Discovery Technologies (Subsidiary of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories) and Ms Suneela Thatte, Vice President and Head- R&D India, Merck KGaA.

Indian pharma manufacturers export nearly half of the pharma production, both in terms of volume and value to the US, UK, South Africa, Russia and other countries.

The Health & Wellness week at India Pavilion will conclude on 4^th February 2022.

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