Pharma Sector Needs Reform

It is a common phenomenon to keep certain medicines, considered to be essential, at home even without the due prescription of a physician.

- Dr Vivek S Agrawal

When needed, either those get expired by that time or forget to use the same. One cannot deny the beneficial use of medicines till the time they are required or within permissible age limits.

Pharmaceuticals are an important element of medical practice, with beneficial effects on human health, food production and economic welfare. The way pharmacies are operating in India poses a threat at all stages from manufacturing to the final disposal. One of the fastest growing industries currently valued at USD 50 Billion in FY 2023-24 is estimated to reach$130 Billion by 2030. India is the world's largest provider of generic medicines by volume, with a 20% share of total global pharmaceutical exports. It is also the largest vaccine supplier in the world by volume, accounting for more than 60% of all vaccines manufactured in the world. Having this size thrust is laid with pharma as a priority sector industry, to increase production and export. There are no doubts about its requirement considering the increase in morbidity and enhanced medical care services at the peripheral level through government schemes like Ayushman Bharat etc. To guide and regulate pharma production, WHO has developed international standards, recommendations, and guidelines to assure the quality of medicines, particularly for global trade and public health. The Indian government's directive for pharma companies to align with the World Health Organisation's Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) has brought the spotlight back on quality assurance, both for domestic consumption and exports. Still, there is a reluctance to follow standards laid down by WHO. At times, the industry has faced criticism on account of these violations and alleged fatalities due to the same. Standards are mostly flawed at outsourced or loan-licensed manufacturing facilities, which take the liberty to compromise on standards.