In an effort to support the industry in its fight against spurious drugs, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) would allow additional cost benefits for printing hologram in pharmaceutical packages, announced Arun Jha, member secretary, NPPA.

Delivering the chief guest's speech at the 46th annual general meeting (AGM) of Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), Arun Jha said that the inclusion of hologram in the genuine products would help to curb the menace of spurious drugs. As the global market and domestic industry has raised its concerns over the increasing presence of spurious drugs in the market, the NPPA has already allowed cost of hologram on pharmaceutical packages considering the request from various industry associations.

"The NPPA has allowed cost of hologram on packages to prevent spurious drugs, so that the industry can use holograms to ensure the quality of their products in the market. Further, the authority would allow some additional cost of around eight paise for holograms," he announced officially.

The authority has ensured control on drug prices both on indigenous and imported pharmaceutical products in the short time span. Further, the authority has introduced extensive online facilities for the benefit of industry. The facilities in NPPA website has been redesigned recently and the authority would accept suggestions from the industry to improve the online services. He invited the IDMA members to use the online facility of NPPA for various official purposes.

Dr M Venkateswarlu, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), in his speech stated that the industry should set higher benchmarks to keep excellent quality in pharmaceutical products. The industry should realise that growing is not only winning more number of market, but also delivering high quality products for the global pharmaceutical market. He asked the IDMA to lead the industry with the required commitment for delivery of quality products.

While delivering the presidential speech B N Singh, said, "The growth of the Indian drug industry has slowed down last year because of the price reduction and rupee appreciation. About 12 per cent appreciation of rupee against dollar has affected the revenue of several Indian drug makers. Moreover, NPPA has used a special provision and has brought 23 non-scheduled drugs under price control in addition to the 74 scheduled drugs to cap prices of drugs in public interest".

He ascertained that controlling the prices of medicines by the government is no longer necessary, as the intense competition itself has helped in not only maintaining the price line but also bringing down the price tremendously in the last few years. He advocated that patent act has to be made stronger and more consumer friendly. He also expressed the disappointment of the industry in the delay of formulating Drug Policy 2006.

Delivering the key note speech in the meeting, Dilip Shanghvi, chairman and managing director, Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, shared his experience in leading the company towards the position as one among the leading pharmaceutical player in the Indian industry. He said that the market opportunity within the country is going to increase far more in the future and the companies should identify this while setting the strategy. Incremental innovations, rather than major breakthroughs, would determine the success of the company in the future, he added.

Commenting on the opportunities for the Indian drug industry he stated that contract research, contract manufacturing and clinical trials are some of the areas in which the country can emerge as a major player in the global market. The industry can look forward to exciting times as huge global opportunities are set to come its way. The strength of the industry is in developing cost effective technologies in the shortest possible time for drug intermediaries and bulk drug activities without compromising on quality.

He said that IDMA has been concerned about the adverse impact of the DCGI's move, especially to the micro, small and medium enterprises. To protect the interest of its members as a whole and also keeping in mind the patient safety and efficacy the association had organised a number of meetings and made a fervent representations to the concerned authorities.

The IDMA Awards 2007 for quality management and patent applications has been delivered in the meeting.