The 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) was recently held at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The AGM saw stalwarts from the Government, regulatory authorities, overseas/local opinion leaders, heads of companies, senior managers of the pharma industry and other dignitaries come together and discuss key issues. More than 200 delegates participated in the AGM. The meeting was presided over by Ranjit Shahani, President, OPPI and Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Novartis India.
Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations, released the OPPI and Ernst & Young study ‘Unlocking the potential of the pharma distribution channel.’ The study identified the key concern areas such as loss of sales due to non-availability of products at the retailers end in the pharma distribution setup and lack of visibility of pharma companies into stock holding and stock movement in the post CFA (Carrying & Forwarding Agent) supply chain.
Among the key dignitaries present on the occasion were Chandra Prakash Singh, Chairman, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Government of India; Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India and Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, Public Information, Infrastructure & Innovations as the Guest of Honour.
On the occasion, the 46th Annual Report was released, outlining the various initiatives undertaken by OPPI and highlights of the major events in 2011-2012. The report elucidates the pharmaceutical industry’s concerns and challenges in general as well as those of member companies by analysing implications of various issues related to the pharmaceutical industry.
Placing Universal Healthcare (UHC) at the top of the agenda, OPPI’s focus this year will be on ‘Improving Access to Health’ and enabling an environment that fosters research and innovation in the country.
Expressing concern over the recent policy decision on FDI and pricing, Tapan Ray, Director General, OPPI said, “OPPI will continue to work in tandem with the government and other stakeholders to uphold high standards of governance in all areas that impact health and patients’ interest, including issues related to access to medicines, investments in the pharma sector, clinical trials, regulatory compliances and ethical promotion of medicines, just to name a few. OPPI member companies will continue to act responsibly and in close collaboration with all stakeholders towards achieving the common goal of ‘health for all’ as envisioned in Vision 2020.”
OPPI also presented Excellence Awards to top scientists working in drug discovery and pharmacology, apart from releasing their various publications.
Speaking on the prospects of the pharma industry, Shahani said, “Sustaining the growth of the pharma industry in the long term is a challenge due to various uncertainties prevailing in the country. Further, the absence of an ecosystem that fosters innovation will be to the long-term detriment of the patient if not addressed speedily.”
EP News Bureau
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