“CII Report a healthy prescription for the growth of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry”
“Congratulations and compliments to CII for successfully conducting the 12th National Pharmaceutical Conclave and identifying key growth imperatives in the pharma industry,” said Honourable Union Minister for Chemical & Fertilisers, Government of India, Mr Ananth Kumar, while releasing a report on the 12th National Pharmaceutical Conclave focusing on ‘Make, Develop and Innovate’ in India organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in close partnership with the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilisers.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call ‘Make in India’ has been well implemented by CII conclave,” added the Minister. The CII Conclave which took place in December 12-13, 2014 witnessed the coming together of senior representatives of the pharma industry. The report released today is a culmination of the key observations and suggestions made during the two-day conclave. The CII report presents ideas on possible actions which promise the highest favourable impact on the industry and identify key stakeholder groups which would help chart the next steps through further discussions.
Announcing the launch of 10 clusters across the country in the coming one year with the seed capital of Rs 120 crore to initiate common facilities for pharma companies, Mr Ananth Kumar said the process of appointing project management consultants to assess the ground situation has already been initiated.
Speaking on the occasion, Honourable Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers, Government of India, Mr Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, said: “CII has come out with a comprehensive report that captures the key observations of the Conclave and present some ideas on possible actions which promise the highest impact on the industry. The observations in this report should be mulled upon and discussed within various head of the pharma sector and the ministry for possible implementation of the same.”
Mr Sudhans Pant, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilisers, who was also present at the meet said: “The CII report which lists the observations and deliberations of the two-day Pharma Conclave is the perfect prescription for the pharma industry. Various aspects related to regulatory process and procedures that can be implemented have been aptly dealt with in the report.”
Dr Rajiv Modi, Chairman, CII National Committee on Pharmaceuticals and Chairman & Managing Director, Cadilla Pharmaceuticals Ltd, addressing the gathering, said: “The Indian Pharmaceutical manufacturers having consolidated its position in generics, is now moving up the value chain and has a very good research pipeline, which needs to be brought to market with speed especially in the context of emerging healthcare challenges in the country so that new and most modern medicines are available to the population of India.”
“A separate ministry for the pharma sector is the need of the hour,” said Mr Kumar.
The report highlights 11-point observations including a single window clearance to identify and reduce redundant processes to simply the approval process. A single unified body providing clearance and permit from a single location/entity can help reduce time and effort. Stressing on the observation made in the report, Mr Kumar stated, ““The pharma industry in India has the 2nd highest FDI after the US. The size of the pharma industry is pegged at Rs 1,80,000 crore. Policy, regulatory and administration fragmentation has to go and the industry needs a unified policy,” he said.
Speaking on the viability of the industry, the Honourable Minister said that the four pillars of the pharma industry – quality, availability, affordability and stability should grow together.
Citing from the report, the minister stated that inducing manufacturing clusters to evaluate the status of the existing pharma clusters would boost the segment. The report suggested identification of location for new cluster development in the close proximity of academia, research institutes and industry.
Streamlining IP operations to create a robust IPR policy which will bring clarity and predictability and streamlining clinical trials were the other observations brought forth in in the report.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the world’s third biggest market by volume with a compound annual growth rate of 15 per cent over the last five years. It is expected to attain a market size of USD 45 billion by 2020.
New Delhi
20th March 2015