Supportive policy needed for pharma industry to sustain growth momentum: FICCI president

Bengaluru, February, 2017
Indian pharma industry wants a strong and supportive policy framework to continue its growth momentum, said Pankaj Patel, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry(FICCI).

There is need for a stable regulatory environment to facilitate ease of approvals. The industry looks forward to harmonize regulatory frame work. It also recommends higher level of transparency from the NPPA. The need of the hour is a better clarity on the pricing norms, he added.

The FICCI president who is also the Chairman and Managing Director, Zydus Cadila was speaking at the Indian pharma 2017 and Indian Medical Devices 2017 inaugural event in Bengaluru. He said, “We need to strengthen the quality standards, sustain our cost advantage and build next generation capabilities across the industry. Therefore there is need for speedy decisions from the government to fast forward and plan our future strategy.”

Complementing the Union government to recognize the capability of Indian pharma, he said the industry believes that teaming up with the government can help India to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The industry needs to focus on collaboration to drive innovation, network to strengthen its position in the international market and create an eco system with government support.

“This has happened in the clinical trials space which is now seeing a positive turnaround. This in fact was after many office memos and we clearly see a direction emerging from the health ministry, particularly from the CDSCO on the ease of doing business”, he pointed out.
 
On similar lines, the role of the regulator is equally vital in the Make in India vision involving approvals. India’s commerce ministry and health ministry have fought a long battle in Geneva and persuaded the WHO member states to define substandard and falsified products without referring to as counterfeit. FICCI compliments the government for this achievement, he said.
 
Highlighting a few recommendations from FICCI with respect to ease of doing business, he said, “The industry recommends a stable and predictable price regime which is in line with pharmaceutical policy 2012. This will help the industry to plan their business in future. The next is on retrospective pricing issue and the DPCO amendment. Industry fully supports the government to ensure that notified prices are implemented as per the DPCO 2013. But various challenges exist in implementing the revised ceiling prices on pre-manufactured stocks. We have submitted a representation to the government with certain practical options. Its outcome is keenly awaited by the industry.”
 
In order to encourage the API industry, the government should explore setting up of clusters for API and intermediates to enable manufacture of next generation drug ingredients. This will help the sector to remain at the forefront of technology and differentiate itself from the other players. FICCI has been working with your department very closely, he concluded.