The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) is organising the 3rd IPA Convention – 2003, a three-day international business convention and exhibition, at ITC Grand Maratha and Hyatt Regency in Mumbai from September 14 to 16, 2003. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on August 22, Dr P R Vavia, Convention Secretary, said a pharmaceutical business convention of this kind and magnitude was being held for the first time in India. Dr Vavia, S W Deshpande, Vice-Chairman, and other office-bearers of the convention were in Hyderabad to meet leaders of the pharma industry in the state to promote the event and solicit their participation and cooperation in making the convention a success.

The IPA convention is being supported by Industry Pharmacy Section of the Federation of Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP), SEARPharm Forum (FIP-WHO Forum of National Pharmaceutical Associations for South-East Asia) and industry associations in India. The convention is expected to be attended by 300 delegates from all over the country and 50 delegates and speakers from abroad.

Giving out details of the convention, with the theme, “Destination India – Global Pharma Business,” Dr Vavia said the convention and exhibition would project the Indian pharmaceutical industry to the world and showcase Indian capabilities and strength. It would help facilitate global outsourcing, contract manufacturing, clinical trials and collaboration between Indian and overseas pharma companies. He said the convention would offer a unique opportunity to Indian pharma companies to interact with their counterparts in the world. Indian companies involved in contract research and machinery & software development would also be participating in the convention.

While the main convention will cover two days on September 15 and 16, 2003, IPA is organising a Pre-Convention on ICH – Q7A on September 14. The pre-convention offers an opportunity to all pharmaceutical companies to understand ICH-Q7A guidelines of changing global pharmaceutical scenario. The intensive one-day convention will explain the guidelines and outline specifically what is expected from manufacturers and present pragmatic ideas for ICH-Q7A implementation. The delegates in the convention will deliberate on various issues which include ‘techno-commercial strategy for marketing in developed countries,’ ‘cGMP for 21st century,’ ‘strategy for international markets—business potential, barriers and challenges,’ ‘counterfeiting – international perspective’ and so on, according to Dr Vavia.

Dr K Satish Reddy, Director Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, and Venkat Jasti, President, BDMA, and Managing Director of Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd, from Hyderabad, will speak at the convention among other leaders from the pharma industry, including Dr Vinod Shah, President, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS, USA) and representatives from US FDA. The B2B interaction will revolve around the technical and commercial requirements, regulations in export markets, level of technology expertise and costs. The convention will provide a platform for Buyers and Sellers from several countries to display their capabilities and source products. The organisers are expecting a business opportunity to the tune of Rs 500 crore for contract research projects from this convention.

International companies like Aventis (UK, France, Germany), Arab Health, Asta Inc. (USA), Bectochem, Ethypharm, Sahamihara-shi (Japan), Ratiopharm, Merck (USA), Globepharm, Pfizer, MJH International (UK), Pharmascience Inc. (Canada), Medisure (Pakistan) have already confirmed their participation. All leading Indian companies will participate in either in the convention or in the exhibition. Some 60 companies have already booked for the exhibition, according to the organisers.