As the time is fast approaching for the event ‘CPhI Japan’ on March 21 the preparatory activities are moving on a fast track. As India and Japan are keen on building a strong trade relationship, the event is taken on a priority on both sides.

The focus of the event is on mutual industrial collaborations especially in the healthcare and drug manufacturing sector. As per the information received from Dr PV Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcil, about 60 delegates from India have already conveyed their participation in the event.

The main agenda of the Indian contingent at the event will be to promote ‘India-Japan collaboration in the healthcare sector.

The Indian delegation is led by Rahul Khullar, secretary commerce, government of India. Prominent people among the delegation G N Singh, present drug controller of India, N R Munjal, chairman of Pharmexcil, Monaj, chairman IDMA, K L Raju, J S, Mondal are among others.

The India-Japan pharma alliance in Tokyo is headed by Dr Kilash Sharma. Japanese pharma generics Associations, Japanese pharma traders Associations, Eisai-India a subsidiary of Eisai Japan, and Ranbaxy subsidiary of Dai-ichi Japan are partnering the event from Japan. Companies like Mylan, Dr Reddy’s, Lupin, Nectar etc are participating from Indian side.

Major thrust of the event is to promote generics and APIs from India to the Japanese markets and also to encourage the Japanese companies to participate in India. Today Japan is the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world, it is predicted that by 2014 it is expected to grow to $ 87 billion. Moving in this direction India and Japan have signed CEPA agreement. This agreement will provide an excellent opportunity for Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturers and exporters to explore opportunities in Japanese market.

In order to live up to the challenges of increasing market share in existing and new markets and countering the negative publicity in some countries by vested interests, Department of Commerce, Government of India has taken up Brand Pharma India Campaign.

“We want to encourage not only our players into the Japanese markets but also want Japan to consider India as a potential sourcing hub,” said Dr Appaji.