The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has urged the government that there is need for more collaborative efforts between the industry, academia and the government to encourage research and development activities in the country. OPPI pointed out that it is high time to create a climate for innovation by public private partnership (PPP).

Speaking on the occasion of  45th annual general meeting of the  OPPI on September 27 in Mumbai, Andrew Witty CEO of the UK-based pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) stressed that there is an urgent need to control the drug costs and that initiatives should be taken by the pharma companies to make it affordable to all. In fact he hinted that GSK has plans to slash prices of medicines in third world countries.

Praising the efforts of OPPI in recognising the young research talents Witty said, “The efforts taken  by the OPPI to acknowledge the work of these young talent is really appreciable. As the industry it is our responsibility and duty to provide them with the inspiration so that they can continue doing the good work.”

OPPI chairman Ranjit Shahani, who is also the vice-chairman and managing director, Novartis India, said, “Today there is lot of innovative research that is going on in the country which is worth commending. And it is our responsibility as the industry to encourage these works that are being conducted by the research institutes etc. as only innovation can help us from getting out of the image of imitative India to innovative India.”

To encourage R&D activities in India OPPI awarded young scientists from notable research institutes from the country. The award was given  to the  people who were involved in conducting revolutionary innovative work in the field of pharma.

The event specifically focused on increasing the R&D productivity of the country. According to Tapan Ray, director general, OPPI, “India has always been on the spotlight because of it being a low cost destination but now, the companies from the West are looking at India also because of its increasing focus on research. There are so many research activities going on in the country that needs to be highlighted and recognised so that it will set down as an example for others to follow.”

He said that these research institutes play a vital role as their research activity is focused on the Indian demographic population. “This is clearly a very interesting prospect for the pharma companies as they will be able to use this research information for new innovative products. Thus its is imperative to have a better and stronger working relation between all the government, industry and the academia,” Ray said.