Pharmaceutical Education and Practice

Biography

Biography: T. R. Bhardwaj

Abstract

India has emerged as global health provider, having expertise in manufacturing of generics. This drug industry flourished after the passage of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984. Fifty years later, the generic drug industry has achieved remarkable success in getting affordable medicines to patients. The generic products typically cost 50 to 70 percent less than their brand-name counterparts-while meeting the very same standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness as innovator drugs. Global pharmaceutical market is undergoing rapid transformation. The products manufactured by the Indian pharmaceutical industry can be broadly classified into active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations. India is one among the largest API manufacturers in terms of volume and value. Out of the total number of pharmaceutical manufacturers, about 77% produce formulations and remaining 23% manufacture bulk drugs. In 2001, CIPLA introduced the world first ever recommended fixed dose combination (Stavudine + Lamivudine + Neviropine) to fight AIDS. It was made available at less than $1 per day compared to over $12,000 per patient per year prevailing in most countries.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has applauded India for supplying COVID-19 doses to nations around the world to combat the catastrophic global health crisis. India has played a major role in ensuring a global vaccination to fight the pandemic. Guterres said, “I would like to say how much we count on India, I mean, India has one of the most advanced pharmaceutical industries. India played a very important role in the production of generics for use that was a very important element of democratisation all over the world”. Taking into consideration the above mentioned India’s potential and capabilities with respect to global healthcare, opportunities, challenges and their impacts on pharmaceutical education will be discussed.