Critically examine the challenges that have been ailing the pharmaceutical industry in India and suggest measures to overcome such challenges. (200 words)
Refer – Financial Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
Shankaranand 6 years
Please Review,
Thank You.
IAS Parliament 6 years
IAS Parliament 6 years
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Challenges & Solutions
· Poor investment in healthcare – Public investment in healthcare is still struggling to touch the 2% GDP mark, which is not only affecting the hospital industry, but the pharmaceutical industry as well.
· A 1-2% increase in investment in healthcare, and perhaps a minimum dedicated investment for the pharmaceutical industry, will give the industry the required boost to strengthen its manufacturing output and upgrade quality standards across the board.
· Ensuring a level-playing field – The existing focus has been on promoting low-scale, indigenous manufacturing enterprises, to push unbranded generic medicines at a cheaper rate.
· While the same may seem beneficial for the poor, it should be allowed only when domestic entities match quality standards with the medicines exported to other countries.
· Low quality is not only detrimental to the credibility of the industry at large, but also to the health of the nation.
· Regulatory authorities such as the CDSCO should be empowered to ensure compliance.
· Limit the medicines subjected to price control – Research and development, coupled with the entire manufacturing process, and added quality checking mechanisms such as pharmacovigilance, all add to manufacturing cost.
· Extending the number of medicines subjected to price control will adversely affect the production of quality products, in order to maintain sustainability.
· Ensuring quality standards – Stronger guidelines for manufacturing drugs, due diligence in maintaining data integrity, and implementation of strong hygiene policy are essential elements to ensure quality standards.
Way Ahead
· The government has recently provided much hope and positivity, by initiating the draft Pharmaceutical Policy 2017, which lays significant focus on the quality concerns challenging the industry.
· More such initiatives are required, and at a fast pace, for India to dominate the global pharmaceutical industry.
