On September 26, 2023, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F) launched National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India; and Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) Sector during an event in New Delhi, Delhi.
About National Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector in India
Aim:
To promote R&D in pharmaceuticals, including traditional medicines, phyto-pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Focus Area of Policy:
i.Foster innovation and research by enhancing the regulatory environment, and nurturing new talent.
ii.Encourage private and public investment in innovation using various incentives.
iii.Establish a supportive ecosystem for cross-sectoral research to drive sustainable sector growth.
Key Points:
i.It proposed to set up an Indian Council of Pharmaceuticals and Med-tech Research and Development to facilitate and promote collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions.
ii.The policy will aid in higher GDP (Gross Domestic product) contribution, boosted exports, global market share growth, improved healthcare, reduced disease burden, high-end R&D jobs, talent repatriation.
iii.As a part of policy, there will be introduction of centralized dashboard to track upcoming innovations and research.
iv.As per the Allocation of Business Rules, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has been assigned the work related to promotion and co-ordination of basic, applied and other research in areas related to the pharmaceutical sector; education and training including high end research; international co-operation in pharmaceutical research, inter- sectoral coordination and all matters relating to National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs).
Background:
On the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 46th Report, the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the MoC&F constituted a High level Inter- departmental Committee to draft and finalize Policy on R&D and Innovation which submitted its report in September, 2020.
- Following this, draft ‘Policy to Catalyze R&D and Innovation in the Pharma MedTech Sector in India’ was prepared, and the final policy has been notified in gazette on 18th August, 2023.
About Scheme for PRIP Sector:
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has introduced the PRIP scheme with a budget of Rs. 5,000 crores, aiming to shift the Indian pharmaceutical sector towards innovation-driven growth by enhancing research infrastructure. The scheme includes two components:
i.Component A: Establishing 7 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at NIPERs (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) with a budget of Rs 700 crores to bolster research infrastructure.
ii.Component B: Promoting research in 6 priority areas like New Chemical Entities, Complex generics, medical devices, stem cell therapy, orphan drugs, and Anti-microbial resistance with a budget of Rs 4,250 crores.
- Financial support will be provided to industries, MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises), startups collaborating with government institutes, and for in-house and academic research.
Benefits of the scheme:
i.Development of world-class research infrastructure, fostering a talent pool of qualified students.
ii.Promotion of industry-academia partnerships to drive innovation.
iii.Acceleration of the pharmaceutical sector’s growth, leading to increased revenue and job creation.
iv.Development of affordable healthcare solutions, reducing the healthcare burden.
Key Points:
i.As Indian pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd largest pharmaceutical industry in the world by volume with current market size of around USD 50 Billions, he Strengthening of R&D infrastructure is needed for self-reliance.
ii.The pharma and medical devices sector should be transitioned from cost-centric to innovation-driven.
iii.Emphasis are being laid on mass production of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
- Already, three bulk drug parks in Himachal Pradesh (HP), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Prades, and Gujarat; and four medical device parks in HP, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Tamil Nadu (TN) are set up, which will help in strengthening this sector.
Recent Related News:
i.Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 8 International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector on May 26, 2023. It was organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
ii.For the first time, India hosted the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023, held as part of the Group 20 (G20) event, in Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, Delhi from 20th to 21st July 2023. The summit was organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
About Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F):
Union Minister– Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)– Bhagwanth Khuba(Constituency- Bidar, Karnataka)
