Latest news with #SecondPolicymakers'Forum
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Health
- India Gazette
India hosts 2nd policymakers' forum to strengthen global collaboration on drug standards, access to affordable medicines
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Second Policymakers' Forum, aimed at promoting the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia, was inaugurated on Sunday at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the national capital. The event was being organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and in collaboration with India's flagship affordable medicines initiative--the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The inaugural session was graced by the presence of Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, who delivered the keynote address and released a commemorative publication marking IPC's 15-year journey. The gathering was also addressed by Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs, Neena Malhotra; Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punya Salila Srivastava; Drug Controller General of India and Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi; and Advisor (Cost), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Rajiv Wadhawan. In her keynote address, Patel emphasised India's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality-assured medicines and stressed the importance of regulatory harmonisation in facilitating global health equity. She also highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global hub for affordable healthcare solutions and continues to deepen its partnerships with nations through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and health diplomacy. The Forum has brought together policymakers and senior drug regulatory officials from 22 countries, including Liberia, Togo, Mali, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Rwanda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Kenya, Botswana, Ethiopia, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Cuba, Barbados, and Chile, along with two delegates from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), reaffirming India's position as a valued and trusted partner in the realm of global health. This engagement builds on the momentum generated by the First Policymakers' Forum held in August 2024, which resulted in several participating countries formally recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a book of standards for drugs. The growing international interest in aligning with India's regulatory frameworks reflects the credibility and scientific rigour of the Indian Pharmacopoeia, as well as India's proactive role in advancing global public health objectives. Over the course of the four-day programme from June 16 to June 19, delegates will participate in technical sessions covering pharmacopoeial standards, India's regulatory landscape, and successful public health schemes. The technical session on 16th June featured presentations by Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India and Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC, on the role and progress of IPC; Dr Ranga Chandrasekhar, Joint Drugs Controller, on the regulatory mechanisms of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation; and Ravi Dadhich, CEO of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India, on the implementation and impact of PMBJP. In addition, site visits to IPC's state-of-the-art laboratories in Ghaziabad and a Janaushadhi Kendra in Agra, as well as leading pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing and R&D facilities in Ahmedabad, have been arranged to provide delegates with first-hand exposure to India's robust scientific and regulatory systems. The Second Policymakers' Forum stands as a platform for building mutual trust, regulatory convergence, and long-term collaboration toward the shared objective of 'Health for All'. (ANI)
India Today
10 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
India accounts for 70% of WHO vaccine supply, 14% of US generic imports
India is a key player in the global vaccine landscape, supplying 70% of the World Health Organisation's total vaccine stock, according to Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Anupriya Patel during the Second Policymakers' Forum in New Delhi on her keynote address, Patel highlight India's global leadership in supplying quality-assured, affordable medicines. 'During the Covid-19 pandemic, India started the Vaccine Maitri initiative and supplied vaccines to more than 100 friendly countries. This reflects India's deep sense of responsibility towards global health,' she forum, organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Health Ministry in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry, brought together drug regulators and health policymakers from 24 countries. Patel stressed the importance of Jan Aushadhi Kendras -- government-run pharmacies that provide generic medicines at affordable prices in making medicines accessible, calling them 'a powerful tool in reducing out-of-pocket health expenses.'She also shared that India supplies 14% of all generic medicines to the US and has the largest number of US FDA-approved drug manufacturing plants regulatory strength, Patel announced that 15 countries now recognise the Indian Pharmacopoeia, with Cuba being the latest. 'This isn't just about regulations, it's about aligning quality standards, improving drug access, and enabling smoother global pharmaceutical trade,' she Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava echoed the sentiment, noting India's health reforms including over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and expanded coverage through Ayushman highlighted how, in 2004, the share of out-of-pocket expenditure in total health expenditure was 70%, which has come down to 40% Health Secretary further underlined that the increased availability of free drugs and diagnostics has been enabled by the production of generic medicines, noting that the number of free medicines provided at sub-health centres has risen from 36 to 106 over the past explained that AMRIT pharmacies help people get branded medicines and medical devices at lower prices, adding that the forum will be a place where both sides can work together, share knowledge, and plan future Watch
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
70 per cent of WHO's total vaccines are sourced from India: Minister Anupriya Patel
NEW DELHI: India continues to be a leading supplier of vaccines and as much as 70 percent of World Health Organisation's total vaccines are sourced from the country, the Centre said on June 16. '..India has emerged as a global hub for affordable healthcare solutions and continues to deepen its partnerships with nations through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and health diplomacy,' said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel. Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of Second Policymakers' Forum, which aims to strengthen global collaboration on drug standards and access to affordable medicines, she emphasised India's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality-assured medicines. The minister also stressed the importance of regulatory harmonisation in facilitating global health equity. She also recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, India started the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative and supplied vaccines to more than 100 friendly countries, which depicts India's deep sense of responsibility towards global health and its intention of helping friendly countries in times of distress.
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
70% vaccines sourced by WHO are from India; US imports 14% generics
Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said on Monday 70 per cent of total vaccines sourced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 14 per cent of generics imported by the US are from India. She delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Second Policymakers' Forum organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) here. An international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 24 countries is participating in the forum. Aimed at promoting the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and collaboration in India's initiative for flagship affordable medicines -- the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) -- the Forum is being organised by the IPC under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in association with the Ministry of External Affairs. In her keynote address, Patel emphasised India's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality-assured medicines and stressed the importance of regulatory harmonisation in facilitating global health equity. She also highlighted that "under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global hub for affordable healthcare solutions and continues to deepen its partnerships with nations through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and health diplomacy". Underlining the importance of the Jan Aushadi Kendras, Patel said, "Our Jan Aushadhi Kendras are the shining examples of India's commitment to provide quality and affordable medicines to all our citizens. Jan Aushadhi has been one of the most powerful instruments of bringing down the out-of-pocket expenditure of our citizens." Highlighting India's strides made in the direction of providing vaccines, Patel said India continues to be a leading supplier of vaccines. "As much as 70 per cent of WHO's total vaccines are sourced from India," she said. She said during the COVID-19 pandemic, India started the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative and supplied vaccines to more than 100 friendly countries, which depicts India's deep sense of responsibility towards global health and its intention of helping friendly countries in times of distress. Patel said, "India continues to be a leader in drug manufacturing, especially when it comes to generic medicines. 14 per cent of generics imported by the US come from India while India also has the maximum number of US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recognized drug manufacturing plants." She further underlined that "70% of our generics are exported to the highly regulated markets and our pharmacopeial regulations are regularly visited to meet the global benchmarks". Patel said, "We have retained the WHO's Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) framework, Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status which reflects the robustness of India's regulatory framework. Presently, 15 countries in the world recognise Indian Pharmacopeia as a book of standards for drugs, Cuba recently becoming the 15th country to recognise the Indian Pharmacopeia." She said it is not just a regulatory step but a move towards bringing more alignment in the quality standards, expanding access to safe and effective drugs and making trade in pharmaceuticals smoother than ever before. Patel reaffirmed that "we are committed to helping our partner countries by way of communicating and planning" and "hope to continue to work together to advance the regulatory collaboration and promote the recognition of the pharmacopeial standards so that we can strive fast towards the shared goal of 'Health for All'".
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
70% vaccines sourced by WHO, 14% generics imported by US are from India: Minister
Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said on Monday 70 per cent of total vaccines sourced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 14 per cent of generics imported by the US are from India. She delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Second Policymakers' Forum organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) here. An international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 24 countries is participating in the forum. Aimed at promoting the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and collaboration in India's initiative for flagship affordable medicines -- the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) -- the Forum is being organised by the IPC under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in association with the Ministry of External Affairs. In her keynote address, Patel emphasised India's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality-assured medicines and stressed the importance of regulatory harmonisation in facilitating global health equity. She also highlighted that "under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , India has emerged as a global hub for affordable healthcare solutions and continues to deepen its partnerships with nations through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and health diplomacy". Live Events Underlining the importance of the Jan Aushadi Kendras, Patel said, "Our Jan Aushadhi Kendras are the shining examples of India's commitment to provide quality and affordable medicines to all our citizens. Jan Aushadhi has been one of the most powerful instruments of bringing down the out-of-pocket expenditure of our citizens." Highlighting India's strides made in the direction of providing vaccines, Patel said India continues to be a leading supplier of vaccines. "As much as 70 per cent of WHO's total vaccines are sourced from India," she said. She said during the COVID-19 pandemic, India started the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative and supplied vaccines to more than 100 friendly countries, which depicts India's deep sense of responsibility towards global health and its intention of helping friendly countries in times of distress. Patel said, "India continues to be a leader in drug manufacturing, especially when it comes to generic medicines. 14 per cent of generics imported by the US come from India while India also has the maximum number of US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recognized drug manufacturing plants." She further underlined that "70% of our generics are exported to the highly regulated markets and our pharmacopeial regulations are regularly visited to meet the global benchmarks". Patel said, "We have retained the WHO's Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) framework, Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status which reflects the robustness of India's regulatory framework. Presently, 15 countries in the world recognise Indian Pharmacopeia as a book of standards for drugs, Cuba recently becoming the 15th country to recognise the Indian Pharmacopeia." She said it is not just a regulatory step but a move towards bringing more alignment in the quality standards, expanding access to safe and effective drugs and making trade in pharmaceuticals smoother than ever before. Patel reaffirmed that "we are committed to helping our partner countries by way of communicating and planning" and "hope to continue to work together to advance the regulatory collaboration and promote the recognition of the pharmacopeial standards so that we can strive fast towards the shared goal of 'Health for All'".
