India should continue its efforts to make drugs affordable to the masses. At no point of time should India dilute its stand when MNC lobbies pressurize to stop it from manufacturing essential drugs to poor patients, said William Haddad, chairman & CEO of US-based Biogenerics, US R&D Corporation and a global generics advocate. He was the keynote speaker at the 42nd annual day function of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Mumbai on Saturday.

“India should fight all its IPR battle on the basis of Doha declaration compared to the recent August 31 (2003) declaration in Geneva. India should try to extend product patent regime to 2016 rather than 2005 and any action taken by MNCs limiting India’s compulsory licensing right has to be seriously dealt with on the basis of the Doha declaration,” said Haddad.

Vinay Kohli, secretary to the government of India, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertlisers, the chief guest for the evening, inaugurated the function. IDMA president Yogin Majmudar stressed on IDMA’s objectives to encourage local research, development and production and to strive to promote manufacturing as well as academic excellence in the country.

Arun Kshetrapal, Chairman, NPPA was in full support of further liberalization in policies and the removal of Drug Price Control Order (DPCO).

As India is the signatory towards the 39.3 of the TRIPs, it will have to comply with the data exclusivity, said Sharad Gupta, joint secretary to the government of India, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertlisers. “However, under the garb of 39.3, the MNCs will not be allowed to take benefits like an extension of the data exclusivity period,” he said.

Uttam Kobragade, Commissioner, Maharashtra FDA urged IDMA members to increase the flow of information with FDA on matters pertaining to spurious drug manufacturers. IDMA also distributed industry awards to various categories within the pharma and allied sectors at the annual function.