A Pill for Generic Success
Daara Patel, Secretary General, IDMA speaks on activities of the association
Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) was formed in 1961 to help Indian manufacturers and to protect the interest of the Indian consumers. Handling various issues of policy operation over the years, the theme of IDMA this year highlights 'India's Quality Affordable Generics: For Global Healthcare.' Daara Patel, Secretary General, IDMA helps us know more about the activities of the association.
Brief us on the origin of IDMA.
In the early '60s, an urgent need was felt for a common platform for bringing together all indigenous manufacturers in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. So, in 1961, the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) was founded as the premier association of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. The idea was to have an organization representing the common interests of its members before various departments and local bodies and to solve them in the best interests of the members. The aim was also to foster a better understanding of Indian products amongst the medical profession.
Tell us about the objectives of IDMA?
Some of the major objectives of IDMA include promotion of drug research in all its branches, promote research and development of new drugs in the country; represent the common difficulties of the members before the various departments and local bodies (Municipality, Central & State Government, etc.); promote science, diffusion of useful knowledge, technical and commercial education in India.
What are the challenges faced by the Indian pharma industry today?
The challenges include fight for supremacy of Indian generics vs. the patented products of developed countries, increase in prices of raw materials and other inputs, FMRAI issue of restricted working period, counterfeit medical products, confiscation of Indian goods by EU port authorities and spurious drugs. The other issues include data exclusivity, patent linkage to marketing approvals and applications for frivolous product patents. These seemingly simple issues could undermine India's pharma industry. But the safeguards built into India's new patent rules are likely to permit a healthy supply of generics while spurring more research and development of new drugs.
Is the Indian pharma industry lagging behind in global technological revolution?
Technologically, most of our top manufacturers are at par with the global standards. This is very much evident from the number of units approved by US FDA which is about 146 today. India ranks 2nd in terms of number of units and in terms of Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) approved by US FDA, next only to USA. However, the SMEs in India do face the problem of meeting technological requirements due to financial constraints.
How would you comment on the Indian Pharma industry? How do you foresee its future?
The strength of the Indian Pharma Industry is that for almost every drug, there are multiple manufacturers spread all over India. This provides flexibility and accessibility to the medicines. Also, many of them supply to international markets, proving the quality and affordability of Indian generics.
The future of Indian Pharma industry is very bright. Unable to bear the expensive and patented medicines, the world, including the patent-promoting countries such as USA, Japan and the EU block, have started looking towards India to supply quality affordable low-cost generics.
Has the present perceived market slowdown affected the Indian pharma industry?
The manufacturers largely dependent on exports have felt some impact of global recession, but overall the Indian pharma industry is resilient and will continue to grow at the same pace.
