Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance’s Secretary General, Sudarshan Jain, says 2024 was “transformational”, and India will continue to play a key role in ensuring access to affordable medicines, in 2025. Excerpts:

What are the high-points and concerns, of 2024?

India is the pharmacy of the world, supplying medicines to over 200 countries. The year has been transformational for the pharma industry, on four counts.

Self-reliance, important for healthcare security of the country. API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) production is concentrated in few countries, primarily in one country and we import 70 percent of our API from one country. The government’s PLI scheme in this regard is reaping dividends.

Quality control measures are on, and companies will keep this as top priority to build India’s image as a quality destination. Innovation – we are good at generic production. We supply 20 per cent of the generic medicines around the world, but our record in innovation is low. However, we are seeing early signs this year. And access, we have to diversify exports, and improve access to medicine in India, especially rural areas.

Are issues involving quality, spurious drugs, the main concern?

Quality is the fundamental license to operate in this industry. We have 10,000 manufacturers and government has made efforts in terms of technical assistance etc. This will be a major priority.

Counterfeit medicines are a crime. Government should strengthen enforcement; those involved in counterfeit medicine should be punished.

What about exports, given the geopolitical pressures, and changes in US administration?

There is need for a diversified supply chain, and affordable medicines across the world. India has played an important role in terms of access, and will continue to, with biosimilars and other products coming off patents. Healthcare security and affordable medicine will be important to the new US administration, and India can play an important role. This is an inflection point for India.