Pankaj R Patel, chairman and managing director of Zydus Cadila, has been selected the new president of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). He succeeds Sudhir Mehta, chairman, Torrent Group. Dr Prakash A Mody, chairman & managing director of Unichem Laboratories Ltd is the new vice- president.

Patel, who was earlier vice-president of the organisation, has an experience spanning over 30 years in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. He combines both research and techno-commercial expertise, and has published over 50 research papers. He is also associated with various industry associations and is actively involved in various educational institutions.

IPA secretary general DG Shah said that at a time when the pharmaceutical industry is going through a critical phase of its development, Patel's foresight and acumen will be of immense value to the IPA in particular and to the national industry in general.

Established in 1999 with eight big pharma companies in the country, IPA has now 12 companies in its fold. They are: Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Micro Labs Ltd, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Unichem Laboratories Ltd, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, USV Ltd, Lupin Ltd and Wockhardt Ltd.

Shah said that collectively, their R&D spend at over Rs 2,100 cr in the year ended March 2006 accounted for 90 per cent of the total private sector spending in pharmaceutical research and development. Their exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals are estimated at Rs 6,000 cr, that is more than one-third of the country's exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals, and they service over one-third of the domestic market.

The IPA, in a short span of nine years, has emerged as a credible alternative capable of caring for all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. It has grasped the emerging scenario and has worked with the Government to steer the local industry to new heights and be counted in the world.

The major objectives of the IPA were: Partnering the government in the evolution of a patent regime that will on the one hand meet the TRIPs obligations and on the other serve national interest; Engaging the government in constructive dialogue to move to price management from price control regime for the benefit of the consumer; Working with the government in progressively upgrading regulatory provisions, procedures and standards for harmonization with those of the developed markets; and assisting the government agencies in carrying out a campaign against spurious drugs which are a menace to the society.

Not only it has worked relentlessly and made significant contribution in these areas, ably led by D S Brar, Dr K Anji Reddy, H F Khorakiwala, Dilip Shanghvi and Sudhir Mehta earlier, but has also expanded its sphere of activity to mount a campaign against counterfeit medicines, to overcome barriers to exports of Indian pharmaceuticals, incentivise research and open the door for non-commercial funding for R&D, Shah said.