‘Time for India to be selfdependent in manufacturing generic drugs’
NEXT FRONTIERS Emergency medicine & universal health coverage, says directorgeneral, ICMR
LUCKNOW: The pharmaceutical industry of India had a reason to worry with China cracking the whip on several industries for implementing stricter pollution norms, said Prof Balram Bhargava, director-general, Indian Council of Medical Research, and secretary, department of health research, here on Tuesday.
The move could hit hard the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which were the key for manufacturing generic drugs, he said.
Talking to media on the sidelines of the 14th convocation of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Centre, where he was conferred with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa), Prof Bhargava said it was time for India to be self-dependent in manufacturing of generic drugs. “It is time that India produced its own API to maintain its supremacy in the world of generic drugs. At present, the country’s share is about 60% of the world’s generic (drugs) market. India has the potential to do this,” he said.
According to an estimate, India imports 80% of API for its domestic drug manufacturing units. “Our country’s status as a leader in the generic medicine sector can be sustained, but it needs immediate steps,” he said adding that having a self-sustained API supply would benefit India.
Throwing light on the challenges in the field of medicine, Prof Bhargava said, “In medicine, nothing comes with straight calculations, say for instance in a mobile phone, which can be repaired by changing its battery or other parts. There is nothing like 99.99% when we are dealing with humans.”
He said there was a time when food was imported but the scenario changed after the green revolution. Drawing a parallel, he said, “Now, we are in a place where no one has to go out of the country for treatment. The next frontiers are emergency medicine and universal health coverage, which have come up in the form of Ayushman Bharat. It (the scheme) will revolutionise the way the world perceives India’s healthcare.”
On the occasion, KGMU also conferred D Sc (honoris causa) on Prof SK Sarin, director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, Prof Sarin said he would like to help the medical university if its organ transplant programme was rolled out. “I have an association with this place and will offer whatever I have learnt to the institute,” he said. The chief speaker of the convocation, Prof MVS Valiathan, national research professor, Manipal University, said it was high time that technology and economics were used for improving healthcare. “Doctors need to understand the basics of cost management. The 20th century has seen a lot in terms of technology,” he said.
KGMU vice-chancellor Prof MLB Bhatt presented the annual report and said the varsity had produced 24,000 alumni, so far.