Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector in India, along with the Scheme for the promotion of Research and Innovation in the Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP). This move aims to transform India into a high-volume, high-value player in the global pharmaceutical and medical technology market while ensuring quality, accessibility, and affordability.

Key Initiatives

1. Innovation-Based Industry: Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the need to shift the Indian Pharma and MedTech sectors from cost-based to innovation-based industries. This policy and scheme are part of India’s journey toward self-reliance (Atmanirbharta).
2. Ecosystem Creation: The policy aims to create an ecosystem that fosters skills, capacities, and innovation. It encourages academia-industry collaboration and supports start-ups to harness the potential of India’s youth.
3. Bulk Drug and Medical Device Parks: Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the establishment of bulk drug parks in Himachal Pradesh, Vizag, and Gujarat, as well as medical device parks in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, to strengthen the sector.
4. Collaboration and Preparedness: Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, stressed the importance of collaboration between academia, public institutions, and the private sector. He emphasized that these initiatives would prepare India for future challenges and enhance national biosecurity.

Industry Responses

Industry representatives welcomed these initiatives, seeing them as crucial milestones for India. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), noted that the policy and scheme would encourage pharmaceutical companies and foster an R&D ecosystem.

Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), stated that PRIP would catalyze the growth of innovative MedTech in India. He highlighted India’s 8% share of the global MedTech R&D workforce as a promising area for growth.

Policy Highlights

The National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector focuses on creating a regulatory environment that facilitates innovation, incentivizing private and public investment in R&D, and building an enabling ecosystem. It also proposes the establishment of an Indian Council of Pharmaceuticals and Med-tech Research and Development for collaboration.

PRIP Scheme

The Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) Scheme has a budget outlay of Rs. 5000 crores. It aims to strengthen research infrastructure, establish Centers of Excellence at NIPERs, and promote research in priority areas like New Chemical Entities, biosimilars, medical devices, and more. PRIP encourages industry-academia linkages and fosters innovation.

Conclusion

These policy and scheme initiatives signify India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in pharmaceuticals and medical technology. They seek to harness the nation’s innovation potential, create high-end jobs, and reduce the healthcare burden while contributing to the country’s economic growth.