While supporting the Union government for its programs like ‘Make in India’, and assuring that there will not be any compromise on quality aspects, the newly elected national president of the Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) said that nothing less than a Ministry for Pharmaceuticals (MoP) will save the pharma SMEs in India. Therefore,  the government should consider formation of a separate ministry for pharmaceuticals. If it happens,  Indian pharma sector will prosper well and become a leader in the global market.
 
Deepnath Roy Chowdhury, the president of IDMA, feels that Indian pharmaceutical industry cannot expect much progress in the sector with the decision of the Union government to shift the national price regulator, NPPA, and the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to the ministry of health from the ministry of chemicals & fertilizers.
 
While speaking to Pharmabiz over telephone from Kolkata, D R Chowdhury said pharma industry has made India proud of its qualitative and affordable drugs being manufactured by the domestic units. But the industry faces a lot of problems which have to be addressed, for which only an exclusive ministry can find solutions. So, the industry’s demand to the Union government is to create a ministry for pharmaceuticals.
 
“It is globally acknowledged that Indian pharma sector is providing quality medicines at affordable prices. So, we feel that we play a significant role in protecting the public health not only in India but also across the globe. The industry has been facing serious challenges due to issues like expanding price controls, controversy regarding FDCs, ambiguity in regulatory guidelines.etc. Considering the achievements and future potential of the Industry we have all along requested for a separate ministry for pharmaceuticals which while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements will play a proactive role for the growth and development of the industry. Indian pharmaceuticals have great potential and they can indeed reach greater heights,” said Chowdhury.
 
He added that IDMA had always believed in best practices and would continue to focus on working closely with the government to ensure that ‘Made in India’ pharmaceutical products were synonymous with quality and affordability.
 
To a question he said, the SME sector has contributed hugely to the growth of the Indian pharma industry which hopes that the government will extend adequate support to the sector by making available low cost funds through schemes like CLCSS and PTUAS for creation of physical infrastructure. If the industry is given reasonable opportunity to create infrastructure and develop skills, more number of our SME units can be upgraded to higher levels of regulatory approvals and contribute more effectively towards enhancement of India’s exports to the world. The pharma SMEs are fully geared to meet changing regulatory expectations provided they are given reasonable time considering the financial implications of implementing such changes.
 
According to him, the government must recognize that the SME sector has played an extremely important role in ensuring affordability and accessibility, hence they deserve to be supported by the government to overcome future challenges.