While releasing the report of proceedings at the 12th National Pharmaceuticals Conclave recently, Union chemicals and fertilizers minister Ananth Kumar announced setting up of 10 pharma clusters in the country with an outlay of Rs. 120 crore in the next one year. He explained that these clusters will provide common facilities to the pharmaceutical industry, and help them hive off up to 25% of the cost, making them globally competitive. A strategy to develop the clusters has been framed for its early implementation, he informed.
The Minister further said that that there are valuable suggestions in the report which will be promptly examined, and taken up for action. He said that the Government wants to ensure that four pillars of the industry - Quality, Affordability, Availability and Stability are in position. He said that the Government wants to provide health security for the poor people of the country, and this requires innovative strategies, like supply of generic medicines, building domestic capacity in bulk drugs, and making pharma sector competitive.
A unified policy, regulation and administration mechanism is required for the pharmaceutical industry, and the Minister has therefore recommended to the Prime Minister to set up a separate department for the same. He said that on the issue of bulk drugs production in the country, Katoch Committee Report has been received in the Ministry, and an action plan is being prepared for its implementation. Once its recommendations are put in place, it will make Indian industry viable and competitive.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that close interaction with producers and consumers helps the Government in formulating a better policy. He said that industry and national growth go hand in hand.
The 12th National Pharmaceuticals Conclave was jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Government of India. The objective of the Conclave is to bring together all stakeholders for facilitating meaningful discussions on the challenges and possible mechanisms for countering it. The Conclave deliberated on much-needed collaborative multi-sectoral approaches that meet the government’s health policy objectives.
The report of the conclave has suggestions, grouped into 11 broad groups. Indications have also been made against these suggestions on what is possible to be implemented within six months and to be implemented in 12 months and for a little longer term implementation phase of 1 to 3 years. The specific recommendations under them have suggested actionable interventions and an indication of time- frame and responsible stakeholders.
These groups include the following like single window clearance mechanism, inducing manufacturing clusters, unified policy mechanism, capacity building across functions, developing a national innovation strategy, creating innovation fund targeted towards specific therapy areas, streamlining IP operations, evidence-based price controls, greater industry academia collaboration, streamlining clinical trials and ensuring quality compliance.