India is in negotiations with Netherlands on Pharmaceutical Supplies

The Indian pharmaceutical department is in discussions with the Dutch government about improving the supply chain for vaccine raw materials and other pharmaceutical products. Last month, the two sides met to discuss ways to improve bilateral commerce in the pharmaceutical sector. Despite being a significant source of low-cost vaccinations, India imports crucial raw materials for manufacture. Furthermore, since the covid pandemic, the government has prioritized the production of vaccinations and medications. As a result, indigenous raw material manufacturing is critical to maintaining consistent supply.

The Indian pharmaceutical sector is noted for its generic medications and low-cost vaccines, and it ranks third in the world in terms of volume output.The country contributes 40 to 70% of the WHO's demand for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DPT) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines, as well as 90% of its demand for measles vaccines. During the covid epidemic, India supplied about 300 million doses of covid vaccine to more than 101 nations. “Meeting with the department of pharmaceutical affairs and medical technology, ministry of health, welfare and sports, Netherlands was organized last month.

The discussions were held between both the countries for equity and affordability of pharmaceutical products, supply chain specifically for vaccine raw materials, cross border investment and partnership to strengthen resilience in global supply chains," a person aware of the matter said. “We also discussed collaborations of National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERS) with Netherlands including development of Centre of Excellence (CoE) between NIPERs and concerned counterpart institutions in Netherlands," said the person. However, the discussion is at a very preliminary stage. In addition to this, the industry stakeholders are demanding for PLI like scheme for vaccine input material. Right now, the Centre is also PLI schemes for bulk drug parks for pharma and medical device firms.