Exploring Collaborations with Govts & NGOs can Expand access to Essential Medicines says Sunil Attavar

Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers will need to explore partnerships with governments and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to expand access to essential medicines, according to Sunil Attavar, former president of the Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KDPMA). There is also a need to improve participation in government tenders by eliminating monopolistic clauses for the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, he stated that efforts should be made to broaden the list of medicines covered by government schemes, at the very least providing a Quick Reference of the top 1,000 brands sold in India.

The industry must implement efficient manufacturing practises, invest in R&D to develop cost-effective formulations?, upgrade quality management systems, and streamline the supply chain. Another critical component is investment in incremental innovation with a focus on lowering costs and increasing shelf life in collaboration with academia, according to Attavar. Investing in economies of scale, manufacturing closer to home with regional clusters, and investing in import substitution will transform the Indian pharmaceutical landscape, bringing medicines to the masses at a more affordable price. To strengthen the role of pharmaceutical manufacturers in ensuring the affordability and availability of medicines, he noted that the industry will need to collaborate with innovators to bring the latest products into the country sooner and at lower costs, as well as engage with the government and other stakeholders to develop long-term sustainable plans.

Furthermore, the industry believes that there is an urgent need to propose to the Union government that OPD (outpatient department) be included in the PM-JAY programme, recommend a Jan Aushadi shelf in all chemist shops, collaborate with stakeholders to develop a rational prescription policy, self-regulate the cost of high-priced medicines such as anti-cancer and other critical care conditions, and expand the list of medicines covered by government schemes, according to Attavar. Known as the pharmacy of the world, our pharma industry’s high quality and affordable medicines reached every nook and corner in the country and there was no shortage of any medicines, even during the Covid pandemic and other emergency situations. The industry will need to collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance as it will allow us to exceed quality expectations beyond what is prescribed, said Attavar.