Indian Pharma Industry On Its Way Towards Becoming Truly 'Atmanirbhar'
A seasoned pharceutical industry professional, Dr. MSN has completed his M.Sc (Organic Chemistry) and Post-Doctoral Research in Organic Chemistry from Osmania University. He is also a Member of the American Chemical Society, and has 170 Patent Publications globally and 53 research publications in reputed Indian as well as International journals.
Share your thoughts on the pharmaceutical industry in India post covid.
The covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people think and made us strongly focus on innovation, quality and cost-effectiveness. Always knows as the place of healing, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is experiencing significant growth in recent times. Thus, the industry continues to attract investments & collaborations, and is today the largest producer of generic drugs globally. Various initiatives taken by the government to promote healthcare accessibility and affordability are further contributing to the flourishing landscape of the pharma industry in India. As a result, we are now the fourth largest exporter of pharmaceutical products, and this brings with it a heightened sense of responsibility towards the health and well-being of people across the globe.
How are modern day technologies impacting the pharma manufacturing sector in India?
Several cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, continuous manufacturing, automation, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the pharma manufacturing space in India. A significant trend in the industry is the move towards flexible manufacturing plants that are capable of producing various products in smaller batches, departing from the traditional approach of building plants for a single blockbuster drug. The packaging processes are also undergoing technological transformations and driving substantial growth in the pharma industry by ensuring improved product protection and compliance with regulatory standards.
To strengthen India’s position in the global pharma market, the industry must embrace digitization and automation, replacing manual data updation processes with digital solutions to enhance productivity and streamline operations. It is essential for pharmaceutical companies to adapt to these technological advances to remain competitive in the dynamic industry landscape. Additionally, Indian regulators are demonstrating openness to accepting newer technologies during their inspections, fostering a more innovative, collaborative and sustainable ecosystem within the industry.
What impact does indigenous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals have on our country’s holistic growth?
Local manufacturing reduces the reliance on imported pharmaceutical products, making essential medicines more accessible and affordable to the people. Relying on external sources for critical medicines can pose risks during emergencies or global disruptions in supply chains. Indigenous manufacturing enhances a nation’s self-sufficiency, strengthens its ability to meet domestic healthcare needs independently and ensures the continuity of essential medical supplies.
Our Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) was imported from China, creating a dependency on external sources. However, MSN Labs has taken significant strides to reduce this reliance by implementing strategic measures. Now, many pharma industry leaders are following a similar path of reducing external dependencies and promoting indigenous API production. Also, having a local pharmaceutical ecosystem will result in enhanced control, safety and customization. A robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector encourages supporting infrastructure development such as research and development centers, testing laboratories, and logistics networks. This, in turn, enhances the overall healthcare ecosystem of the country.
Lastly, with the growing population, India needs more employment opportunities. Building robust indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D centers generates more employment from skilled researchers and scientists to manufacturing workers and supporting staff. India is a place of diversity, each state has different food types and lifestyles. Local health challenges can only be addressed by tailoring pharmaceutical products to meet specific healthcare challenges prevalent in the country. This includes addressing diseases that are region-specific and developing drugs suitable for the genetic diversity of the population.
What role does the government play in taking the pharma manufacturing sector to the next level?
With the Athmanirbar Bharat initiative, the Govt. of India launched many schemes to empower the pharmaceutical sector. With the growing population, the responsibility towards refining the healthcare ecosystem healthcare has become a top priority for the Indian Government. To make healthcare more accessible and affordable, the government has introduced new policies and programs. These efforts aim to improve local access to high-quality healthcare services. Recently, the government of India has launched a series of schemes focusing mainly on strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the pharmaceutical sector, one of which is mainly focusing on providing a capital subsidy of 10 percent on loans for upgrading the technology on pharmaceutical units. The government provides 70 percent or Rs.2 crore as assistance to pharma companies under its Common Facilities Scheme.
India has already established itself as a global leader in the production of generic drugs. The future is likely to see India retain its dominant position and expand its market share, as demand for affordable medicines continues to rise worldwide. With investments in R&D, Indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to create a new era that can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases and further establish a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The future lies in providing precision and preventive medicines, and India may witness a greater adoption of personalized medicine and precision healthcare technologies which will result in more tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
Also, the government can simplify regulatory processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to setup and operate their manufacturing units. Streamlining approval procedures and licensing requirements can attract more investments. Furthermore, there is a huge need to bridge the skill gap and enhance the workforce capabilities by collaborating with academia and industry to develop skilled human resources in pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and quality control.
How do you expect the Indian pharma manufacturing sector to evolve in the days to come?
India has already established itself as a global leader in the production of generic drugs. The future is likely to see India retain its dominant position and expand its market share, as demand for affordable medicines continues to rise worldwide. With investments in R&D, Indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to create a new era that can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases and further establish a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The future lies in providing precision and preventive medicines, and India may witness a greater adoption of personalized medicine and precision healthcare technologies which will result in more tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
Share your thoughts on the pharmaceutical industry in India post covid.
The covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people think and made us strongly focus on innovation, quality and cost-effectiveness. Always knows as the place of healing, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is experiencing significant growth in recent times. Thus, the industry continues to attract investments & collaborations, and is today the largest producer of generic drugs globally. Various initiatives taken by the government to promote healthcare accessibility and affordability are further contributing to the flourishing landscape of the pharma industry in India. As a result, we are now the fourth largest exporter of pharmaceutical products, and this brings with it a heightened sense of responsibility towards the health and well-being of people across the globe.
How are modern day technologies impacting the pharma manufacturing sector in India?
Several cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, continuous manufacturing, automation, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the pharma manufacturing space in India. A significant trend in the industry is the move towards flexible manufacturing plants that are capable of producing various products in smaller batches, departing from the traditional approach of building plants for a single blockbuster drug. The packaging processes are also undergoing technological transformations and driving substantial growth in the pharma industry by ensuring improved product protection and compliance with regulatory standards.
To strengthen India’s position in the global pharma market, the industry must embrace digitization and automation, replacing manual data updation processes with digital solutions to enhance productivity and streamline operations. It is essential for pharmaceutical companies to adapt to these technological advances to remain competitive in the dynamic industry landscape. Additionally, Indian regulators are demonstrating openness to accepting newer technologies during their inspections, fostering a more innovative, collaborative and sustainable ecosystem within the industry.
What impact does indigenous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals have on our country’s holistic growth?
Local manufacturing reduces the reliance on imported pharmaceutical products, making essential medicines more accessible and affordable to the people. Relying on external sources for critical medicines can pose risks during emergencies or global disruptions in supply chains. Indigenous manufacturing enhances a nation’s self-sufficiency, strengthens its ability to meet domestic healthcare needs independently and ensures the continuity of essential medical supplies.
Our Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) was imported from China, creating a dependency on external sources. However, MSN Labs has taken significant strides to reduce this reliance by implementing strategic measures. Now, many pharma industry leaders are following a similar path of reducing external dependencies and promoting indigenous API production. Also, having a local pharmaceutical ecosystem will result in enhanced control, safety and customization. A robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector encourages supporting infrastructure development such as research and development centers, testing laboratories, and logistics networks. This, in turn, enhances the overall healthcare ecosystem of the country.
Lastly, with the growing population, India needs more employment opportunities. Building robust indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D centers generates more employment from skilled researchers and scientists to manufacturing workers and supporting staff. India is a place of diversity, each state has different food types and lifestyles. Local health challenges can only be addressed by tailoring pharmaceutical products to meet specific healthcare challenges prevalent in the country. This includes addressing diseases that are region-specific and developing drugs suitable for the genetic diversity of the population.
What role does the government play in taking the pharma manufacturing sector to the next level?
With the Athmanirbar Bharat initiative, the Govt. of India launched many schemes to empower the pharmaceutical sector. With the growing population, the responsibility towards refining the healthcare ecosystem healthcare has become a top priority for the Indian Government. To make healthcare more accessible and affordable, the government has introduced new policies and programs. These efforts aim to improve local access to high-quality healthcare services. Recently, the government of India has launched a series of schemes focusing mainly on strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the pharmaceutical sector, one of which is mainly focusing on providing a capital subsidy of 10 percent on loans for upgrading the technology on pharmaceutical units. The government provides 70 percent or Rs.2 crore as assistance to pharma companies under its Common Facilities Scheme.
India has already established itself as a global leader in the production of generic drugs. The future is likely to see India retain its dominant position and expand its market share, as demand for affordable medicines continues to rise worldwide. With investments in R&D, Indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to create a new era that can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases and further establish a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The future lies in providing precision and preventive medicines, and India may witness a greater adoption of personalized medicine and precision healthcare technologies which will result in more tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
Also, the government can simplify regulatory processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to setup and operate their manufacturing units. Streamlining approval procedures and licensing requirements can attract more investments. Furthermore, there is a huge need to bridge the skill gap and enhance the workforce capabilities by collaborating with academia and industry to develop skilled human resources in pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and quality control.
How do you expect the Indian pharma manufacturing sector to evolve in the days to come?
India has already established itself as a global leader in the production of generic drugs. The future is likely to see India retain its dominant position and expand its market share, as demand for affordable medicines continues to rise worldwide. With investments in R&D, Indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to create a new era that can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases and further establish a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The future lies in providing precision and preventive medicines, and India may witness a greater adoption of personalized medicine and precision healthcare technologies which will result in more tailored treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
