The Department of Pharmaceuticals, in association with FICCI and other pharma organisations, is organising an international conference on pharmaceuticals in Mumbai on November 30, ahead of the proposed CHI happening from next day, to showcase strength of Indian companies.

A meeting, called by Pharma secretary Ashok Kumar recently, decided to organise the event in a bid to lure the big traders from the developed countries and thereby giving a fillip to the exports from the country by showcasing the strengths of the domestic industry. The meeting was attended by joint secretary Arun Jha, deputy secretary Paresh Johri, representatives from organisations like SPIC, IDMA, BDMA and OPPI, experts from UNIDO, Pharmexcil and CPhI organisers to chalk out the detailed plan for the event.

The event will showcase the strength of Indian companies for meeting global requirement of quality medicines as a vision of 2020. This year event will be novel drugs and drug discovery. The government could consider luring visitors from Vietnam, Korea, CIS countries, South Africa etc. Members who want to suggest the name of prominent members can forward the same to us and all efforts will be made to call those prominent persons at the cost of government, it was decided.

Pharma associations suggested that conference should also involve segments like medical devices, pharma machinery and excipients industry. Besides, there was also suggestion to extend 50 per cent concession to the small and medium pharma units to take part in the exhibition.

"Focus will be on inviting big traders mostly from Europe who get the major share of WHO tenders to come to India as guests along with the consumer organizations of developing countries and the regulatory authorities of focus countries to come to India to see our commitment to quality drugs at affordable prices by arranging visits to SME sector units all over the country. This is essential to remove the stigma of spurious drugs being originated from India," an official said.

The conference, in general, will emphasise India as a destination of quality generic medicines at affordable prices for all range of customers besides demonstrating the capabilities of the country in the field.