The Department of Pharmaceuticals has set up a task force to implement a number of proposals including special support on the small and medium sector for taking up research and development activities and project funding through special purpose vehicle, as part of the target to make India a hub for R&D in pharma.

The department recently held a brainstorming session on the topic with the industry representatives to elicit their views and chalked out a set of recommendations which will be implemented under the guidance of the task force. Industry will interact with university system to make use of the available expertise and facilities, inventory of expertise and technology with universities will be compiled, and project funding would be implemented, according to the set of recommendations made by the meeting.

Technology forecasting for neglected diseases, identification of institutions abroad for training and exchange programmes, and support to SMEs were among the other recommendations. The task force will have representatives of Torrent, Sam Pharma, Piramal Healthcare, Alkem, FICCI representative and Lalit Kumar Jain of SPIC as members. The participants at the meeting also have been asked to send their suggestions and take up the prevailing statutory barriers with the department.

Pharma secretary Ashok Kumar, while urging the industry to focuses on R&D, asked the industry to forward suggestions as to what the department could do to facilitate research. The perception of the industry was solicited to consolidate efforts towards process development for generics and enlarge geographical boundaries. The brainstorming session covered areas like structural issues, activities on new chemical entities, human resources development, honouring scientists, infrastructure, project funding, and fiscal incentives.

The Department also sought the opinion of the industry on setting up a special purpose vehicle for project funding and reduce the risk in R&D investment through an insurance coverage. The industry, on its part, said it could shoulder 50 per cent of R&D expenses while the rest should be found from other sources. The department said the government may not be in a position to extend financial assistance.