Unlike its earlier editions, iPHEX 2017 in Hyderabad will be a multidimensional platform for all stake holders of pharma and healthcare industry. This year’s iPHEX will give an exclusive focus on interactions between scientists from national research centres, industry leaders and policy makers for developing a new strategy for reducing excessive dependence on API imports. While highlighting the role of iPHEX in pushing the Indian pharma and healthcare sectors on the global stage, Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General of Pharmexcil, shares his views on the present edition of the event with Amguth Raju.
Could you please explain the significance of iPHEX in the development of Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors?
iPHEX is a flagship progarmme of Pharmexcil and it was first conceived in the year 2013 with the sole objective of exhibiting the capabilities and strengths of Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare to the global markets. Pharmexcil with the support of department of commerce has been successful in making this platform worthwhile for both the pharma and healthcare sectors. So far we have completed four successful editions of iPHEX which were held in Mumbai. However, this year, we have decided to conduct this exclusive Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare extravaganza in Hyderabad.
What is the reason for shifting iPHEX from Mumbai to Hyderabad and what are your expectations from this year’s event.
With four successful iPHEX events in Mumbai, it has gained global recognition. And this was possible only because of continued patronage of our members who have been always supporting us in our endeavour. However, this year we have decided to shift the venue to Hyderabad, as a part of government’s advice to showcase India’s other alternative and emerging pharmaceutical and healthcare hubs to the global community.
As Hyderabad is already a leading manufacturing hub for the bulk drugs and is also equally emerging as a leading formulations and medical tourism destination of the country, we are expecting this platform will be a boon for all the stakeholders, who can meet, discusses and deliberate on various issues concerning not only pharma and healthcare, but also on issues pertaining to national and international regulations.
What are the co-events that are being organized along with iPHEX this year?
This year, along with iPHEX, we are also conducting the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Pharmexcil. Earlier, both these events used to be held separately, however we have clubbed these events together. For AGM we are expecting around 100 overseas delegates while for iPHEX we are expecting about 500 overseas delegates. Overall more than 600 overseas delegates are expected to take part in this mega event.
How many domestic and international pharma companies and overseas delegates are expected for the event?
As I said, we are expecting more than 600 international delegates during the three- day iPHEX and AGM programmes in Hyderabad. We have already sent invitations to more than 500 prominent pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, distributors, drug regulators, journalists across the globe.
With the help of our embassies in overseas countries, local pharma associations and our members, we have invited importers who are looking for APIs, finished formulations, AYUSH products, medical devices, veterinary drugs, biotech, contract manufacturing and other pharma related services.
Over 300 domestic Indian companies dealing in manufacture, export of pharmaceuticals, pharma machinery, excipients and pharma packaging etc. are also expected to exhibit their product range. Overall we are expecting a footfall of more than 15000 trade visitors to attend the show during the three days.
In order to make this event a true Indian healthcare expo, various pharma related Government agencies, hospitals, medical tourism, pharma skill development institutes etc are also invited to exhibit in the show.
Could you give us some of the important highlights of IPHEX 2017?
Apart from its usual focus on manufacturing, regulatory and healthcare, for the first time, there will be a separate ‘Raw material Sourcing Zone’ , where companies dealing with chemicals, intermediates from overseas countries like China, Korea, Turkey etc , will be invited to exhibit. This is to bring raw material suppliers to the door steps of Indian pharma companies.
In addition to this, iPHEX 2017 is going to provide a unique platform for in-depth interaction between, leading researchers, industry players and scientists from national research institutions. Scientists from leading institutions like IICT, ICMR, NIPER and members from leading industries along with leading officials in the government will come together to discuss issues relating to excess import dependence for APIs, Key starting materials (KSYs) by the industry. They are expected to come out with suggestions, ideas and recommendations to build India’s capabilities for self sustenance of the industry. The main aim of this meeting is to evolve new strategies to reduce dependence on API imports,
How many regulators are expected during the event, and how is iPHEX 2017 going to help the SMEs?
As we all know, that more than 90 per cent of Indian pharma constitutes SME sector and their financial conditions is also limited and they have very less resources at their disposal to get noticed at the global markets. Keeping this in view, we have invited more than 50 FDA regulators from different countries. In fact the SME players can utilize this platform to the best of their abilities and get the knowledge of various regulatory bodies, their registration procedures and market their products to different countries.
These regulators will take part in seminars and deliberate on the regulatory reforms and new changes happening in their respective countries.
In addition to this, iPHEX will also host exhibition, scientific seminars, and workshops on pharma exports related technical and commercial topics. All these events will benefit of Indian pharma exporters.
Finally what are your views on Indian pharma exports during the past two years and the future prospects?
As you are well aware, Indian pharma has established a strong foothold in the international markets for its generics. However, in the recent past, there have been a lot of changes happening in the international markets with regard to regulatory reforms, promoting their own domestic industry and increasing competition. In addition to this, there is an adverse impact of price erosion as some of the countries like USA, EU have focused on putting a control on the prices of generic medicines. All this has impacted the Indian exports and the industry has recorded a negative growth last year. However, the previous year 2015-16 had shown a positive growth and grew at 9.7 per cent. This was mainly because of the block buster drugs from our leading pharma industry had helped in the growth of exports.
Overall, Indian pharmaceutical exports (including surgical) which was pegged at US$ 16.89 billion in the year 2015-16, have come down to US$ 15.215 billion for the year 2016-17 up to February. This shows there is a negative growth of around one per cent. However, we are expecting the industry to pick up in the next one or two years and are optimistic of having a positive growth rate in the coming days.