India can become the capital of generic medicines: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

The three-day event in Noida will focus on Women Empowerment and Training and Placement Committees for the first time, thereby boosting women and student growth in the industry

Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that the pharma industry is an important stakeholder in the growth of India and that the country can be made global capital for generic medicines. Naidu said this while addressing the 70th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress at Amity University in Noida.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu speaks during the inauguration of 70th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, at Amity University (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

Speaking about the significance of the country globally when it comes to production of medicines, he said,“Pharma industry is an important stakeholder in the growth of India. The Union Budget 2017-18 shows an increase of 23% in health expenditure, which will benefit the pharma industry. Our knowledge in medicine has been since time immemorial and the country has successfully maintained its legacy in being a major stakeholder in pharma globally. If it maintains this tempo, India will soon become an international capital for generic medicines.”

“The government has proposed amendment to the Drugs & Cosmetic Rules which will ensure the availability of generic medicines at affordable prices to promote their use. The government and the pharma sector need to harness the power of information technology,” said Naidu.

The three-day event in Noida will focus on Women Empowerment and Training and Placement Committees for the first time, thereby boosting women and student growth in the industry. The leaders present at the congress will discuss issues on generic formulations; diagnostics and medical devices, along with other sections of pharma industry.

“There have been many positive developments in the past few years in India. The launch of Ayushman Bharat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is highly valued and will provide means for the pharma industry to serve the underserved. Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra will also provide generic medicines at their outlets at affordable rates ,” said Dilip Shanghvi, president, 70th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress.