Experts discuss access to affordable healthcare during Global Tech Summit held from Feb 16-17 in Visakhapatnam

Mumbai, February 20, 2023 :

Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right, and it is crucial to ensure that everyone can access the medicine they need without suffering financial hardship, experts deliberated during Global Tech Summit held between February 16 and 17, 2023, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where over 500 industries from around the world came together on Shaping the Future of Technology.

While delivering his inaugural speech, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that there was a growing consensus around the fact that many people around the world face financial barriers when it comes to accessing medicine. This is a problem that affects not only individuals but entire communities and countries. “The high cost of medicine can lead to poor health outcomes, increased poverty, and reduced economic growth,” he added.

Gudivada Amarnath, minister for IT and industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh also graced the occasion.

Dr T V Narayana, national president, Indian Pharmaceutical Association, India, Dr. Montukumar M Patel, president, Pharmacy Council of India, India, Dr Abhijit Ghosh, assistant drug controller, Central Drug Control Organization, India, and Dominique Jordan, president, International Pharmaceutical Federation, Switzerland deliberated on the importance of affordable and accessible medicine.

It was deliberated that one of the most effective ways to make medicine more affordable is to encourage the use of generic drugs. Generic drugs are as safe and effective as brand-name drugs but are much cheaper. Governments and healthcare providers should prioritize the use of generic drugs and make them widely available.

Another important factor in improving access to medicine is to increase investment in healthcare infrastructure. This includes training healthcare professionals, building clinics and hospitals, and ensuring that there are enough healthcare providers to meet the needs of the population. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, we can improve access to medicine and ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare.

“We also need to prioritize the development of innovative and cost-effective medicines. This can be achieved by increasing funding for research and development, encouraging collaboration between different stakeholders and promoting the use of open-source research,” experts said.

In conclusion, access to affordable and accessible medicine is a fundamental human right. We must work together to ensure that everyone has access to the medicine they need, regardless of their financial status. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, promoting the use of generic drugs, and developing innovative and cost-effective medicines, we can improve the health and well-being of millions of people around the world. Thank you.

“We are confident that this summit will also be held next year to foster fruitful discussions, spark new ideas, and inspire transformative innovation in the pharma industry,” according to Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, CEO, PULSUS, the organizer of the event.

The Global Tech Summit 2023 was conducted in association with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, and Pulsus Group for the G20 India Presidency Programme Promotion, the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society, and Andhra University, which were supporting as knowledge partners. Pharmabiz