The Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has formed 5 global and 7 sectoral panels to effectively address various national and international issues relating to pharmaceutical exports and promotion.

The global regional panels are expected to analyze and resolve issues relating to export trade in each global region viz., CIS (common wealth independent states), Africa, LATAM (Latin America region), ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), and Regulated markets.  While the sectoral panels are expected to acquire timely inputs to disseminate information and create awareness among its members about each sector, viz., Foreign trade-DGFT, SME (Small and Medium Enterprises), Ayush (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), API/CRO/R&D/legal/IPR, Merchant trade, Bio Pharma and Medical Devices.

The five global region panels are headed by Panel Chiefs appointed by Committee of Administration (CoA). The CIS region is headed by D B Mody, Africa region is headed by Bhavin Mehta and LATAM is represented by Paresh Chawla. The ASEAN region and regulated markets are headed by Pranov Choksin.

D B Mody is also representing the Foreign Trade – DGFT, Direct & Indirect Taxes panel, while the other panel members include  Nipun Jain heading for SME panel, Ranjit Puranik for Ayush panel, Madan Mohan Reddy heading for APIs/CROs/R&D/Clinical Trials/Legal/IPR Panel and Ajay Pitre representing the Medical Devices panel. The biopharma sector is left vacant while the Merchant trade panel is headed by Devang Shah.

When contacted, P V Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcil said, “With changing dynamics of global markets, Pharmexcil feels that ‘Global Regional Panels’ are essential to gauge and forecast the market conditions and regulatory procedures of various regions across the globe continuously. The timely assessment of the global market scenario will enable the Indian Industry and exporters, particularly SMEs, to mould their strategy in compliance with the international regulations. This will enable Indian exporters to grab greater share of the foreign pharmaceutical markets in different regions across the world.”

Earlier the council had faced lot of problems to acquire timely inputs due to lack of systematic resource channels. Now with the formation of panels under each head, the council had strengthened its information arms and can serve better to its members and the government by providing much accurate and authentic information to device better policy decisions.