Stating that the role of CPhI India is to facilitate growth drivers, cultivate innovation and promote networking within the Indian pharma industry, as well as help industry executives make better-informed decisions, Rutger Oudejans, Brand Director Pharma at UBM EMEA, says that the pharmaceutical business is rapidly growing and in the next 10 years India is poised to become a global leader in biosimilars, innovative drugs and generics. In an email interaction with AD Pradeep Kumar, he gives an overview of this year's CPhi India event and the strengths of the Indian pharma industry in general and API industry in particular.
What are the strengths that rank India as the third largest in the world in the API industry after China and Italy?
According to a presentation by Reuters at the CPhI Worldwide Pre-Connect earlier this year, India is still the leading exporter of APIs. The APIs manufactured and exported from India have a reputation for quality ingredients, and are sold to Europe and the United States, as well as the rest of the world. It’s also the range of APIs that are available that has enabled the country to be successful globally, as well as its ability to tackle complex chemistries and generics.
In your opinion would it be advantageous and cost-effective for India to import APIs, excipients and intermediates?
That is a tough question since importing can sometimes be more cost-effective and can help India remain competitive. However, it is important for India to secure the drug supply chain; you don’t want to be too reliant on too few supplies. The Indian government recognizes the national supply chain risk implications and are encouraging and providing incentives for API manufacturers for making advanced intermediates.
What is the future you envisage for Indian API sector?
We should continue to see steady growth in exports, as there will continue to be demand in European, U.S. and Japanese markets for high quality APIs. However, with the recent incentives we should also see resurgence in demand for India’s domestic market for homegrown API production that will lead to a more competitive API market. With a more competitive market and an increase in demand to meet the rapidly growing finished drug market, India will need to expand its API sector to meet these future expectations.
Should India have dedicated API Parks?
Yes, I believe it is a great idea. It will help boost the manufacturing and competitiveness of its products. Through affordable land and facilities provided by the government, API Parks could reduce manufacturing costs by almost a third. It also creates new job opportunities that could further boost the general Indian economy. The government is planning on employing close to 3.5 million people in the life sciences sector by 2022.
To what extend will the formation of International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council (IPEC) India help the excipients industry of India?
IPEC India aims to set quality standards in the nation’s pharmaceutical excipients industry through working with the government, supporting the best practice in excipient manufacturing, and providing knowledge and training to institutionalize high standards. Overall, IPEC India will further improve confidence in the Indian excipients industry and position it as equal to other major pharma industries in the United States and Europe.
What are your views on the Indian pharmaceutical industry in general?
The Indian pharmaceutical business is rapidly growing and has made impressive strides in a short time due to the innovative endeavors of the industry. The country is a prime pharma hub due to its diversification of the pharma industry, from simple ingredients to complex generics, machinery and finished products. The Indian pharma industry continues to reinvent itself, adapt to the changing global economy, and move up the value chain. In the next 10 years I think the world will see India as a global leading industry of biosimilars, innovative drugs and of course, generics.
Please give us a brief about CPhI India 2016?
This is the 10th edition of CPhI India (9th year in partnership with P-MEC India) and will be held in the Indian hub of pharma, Mumbai. To celebrate a decade of the Indian pharma industry, CPhI is launching its first Pharma Week (November 17-23) and growing the event from its previous three-day exhibition.
Pharma Week is seven-day longs full of events celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPhI India as the seedbed of the growing Indian pharma industry. There will be over 10 events across the city of Mumbai focusing on the core themes of Business, Knowledge, Leadership, Innovation, Recognition and Networking.
The role of CPhI India is to facilitate growth drivers, cultivate innovation and promote networking within the Indian pharma industry, as well as help industry executives make better-informed decisions.
What are the new features in this year’s event?
This year the CPhI India and P-MEC Exhibition will take place concurrently at two venues on November 21-23: Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC) and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
As part of the India Pharm Week, the CPhI Women in Pharma Power Breakfast will be held on November 18; women from different parts of the world will gather to discuss the gender diversity in the Indian Pharma Industry. The event will allow women to share their expertise and celebrate breaking the gender stereotype and contributing to the growth of the Indian pharma industry. The event hopes to inspire optimism about reducing the gender gap in the currently male dominated industry.
Under the leadership stream of Pharma Week, there will be a CEO Roundtable on November 22. Over 20 CEOs from leading pharmaceutical companies will gather behind closed doors to discuss solutions to challenges in policy making, industry growth and sustainability.
Additionally, Pharma Week will offer plant visits on November 19 for domestic and international visitors to display India as the future of the pharma industry and provide an opportunity to build relationships with global customers. Furthermore, Pharma Leaders Golf, held on November 20, will provide networking prospects for 25 chiefs in the pharma industry and open up business opportunities and contacts.
Which are the concurrent events and the value addition offered by these events?
CPhI India will be partnering with P-MEC. P-MEC India is a pharma show devoted to pharmaceutical machinery, technology and equipment. Not only will attendees be able to network with pharmaceutical professionals but also, attendees will be able to see the latest pharmaceutical innovation, technology and manufacturing.
How many countries and visitors are expected this year?
There is an expectation of over 40,000 attendees and more than 1,200 exhibitors. About34,000 pharma professionals from over 90 countries are expected to attend.
Kindly share details about seminars, technical programmes being held at the expo?
The 2nd Pre-Connect Congress will be held on November 17-18 and will provide a platform for knowledge sharing and networking. Through five panels, the first conference will consist of thought leaders discussing the most recent trends of India’s growing pharmaceutical industry and explaining how the business can further develop.
• ‘Exploring conventional and unconventional avenues to enhance pharmaceutical export potential’
• ‘Mergers and Acquisition- Driving force for Indian Pharma sector’
• ‘Biosimilars- The next big thing’
• ‘Quality Compliance- a cultural pre-requisite or external
• ‘Make in India- A Pharma Perspective’
The second day of the conference will have international consulate sessions; the Australian, Italian and German consulate will present. This conference aims to provide knowledge on the necessity for India’s pharma industry to build and solidify bridges with the global pharma market.
Additionally, the CPhI Exhibition Showcase (November 21-23) allows exhibiting countries to present their products, services and new launches in 45-minute slots. The Innovation Gallery, also held on November 21-23, will allow companies to showcase their innovations on an international platform in the Pharma Forum.
Please give an overview of the last year's event
Last year’s event lasted three-days and provided attendees extensive opportunities to network and learn about the latest technologies, trends and developments in the Indian pharma industry. There were a record total of 34,767 attendees from over 95 countries and over 1,100 exhibitors.