Govt mulling policy to boost production of patented drugs

New Delhi: The government is considering bringing a policy to promote manufacturing of patented drugs in India, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday.

Speaking at the curtain raiser press conference of the 7th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector 2022, Mandaviya said while the country has already established itself as the global manufacturing hub for generic medicines, there is a need to go beyond it and stamp its authority in patented drugs as well.

Today, India has the highest number of generic medicine manufacturing companies with more than 3,500 pharma firms and 10,500 manufacturing units, he said, adding one out of four pills consumed in the US is manufactured in India, while one out of five pills taken in the world is produced in the country.

"But how do we promote manufacturing of patented drugs in India?...We are thinking of bringing a policy to promote manufacturing of patented drugs in India," Mandaviya said.

Stating that in order to promote manufacturing of patented drugs, research and innovation is required, the minister said during the threeday event to be held from April 2527, the government will be discussing with industry players and take their feedback on the things which are needed to be done, what role the government can play and what should be the policy to promote such initiatives.

"So there will be brainstorming with the participation of the industry as they know what should be the outlook and futuristic plans and what type of policy would be required to support it," Mandaviya added.