Comm Min may set up think-tank for pharmaceutical sector

The Commerce Ministry today mooted an idea to set up a think-tank consisting of government officials, private sector players and scientists to resolve issues in promoting pharmaceutical exports. The exports situation and other issues in pharmaceutical sector were discussed during a meeting convened by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During the meeting with senior officers from Ministry of Health, DCGI, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Commerce and Pharmexcil, the minister took stock of various issues and challenges confronted by the Indian pharma industry, the ministry said in a statement.

"A sector like pharma which is deeply rooted in science and is truly global in nature, a 'Think Tank' consisting of senior pharma professionals, CEOs, government officials, scientists, researchers and pharmacists can provide an ideal forum to identify bottlenecks and resolve various issues for overcoming challenges and promoting hassle free exports," it said. Looking at the complexity of issues, need for convergence among policies and programme of different departments was felt, it added. Since the scientific breakthroughs in chemistry, biology, microbiology, physics and biotechnology impact development of this sector directly or indirectly, it was considered important to have a platform where all these developments are shared between academia, industry and scientific community for the larger benefit of the society.

Indian medicines have served humanity across all continents of the world and their contribution in fighting HIV and various other diseases in various developing countries has been particularly notable, it said. By putting its act together, the Indian pharma sector can help the global community in its fight against various life threatening diseases, it added. "The Minister directed senior officials to speed up the work on various proposals and realize full potential of the sector and assured them of government's help in every possible manner in resolving various issues faced by the industry," the statement said.

The sector significantly contributes in the country's total exports. Pharmaceuticals exports grew by 2.63 percent to USD 15.34 billion in 2014-15