“The pharmaceutical industry appreciates the concerns of the Government in expanding healthcare access to India’s 1.2 billion people, and believes that we must work together to find solutions that address the nation’s needs,” commented Christopher Viehbacher, President, EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) and Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi. He was giving his keynote address as the chief guest at the 47th AGM of the Organisation of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India (OPPI), which was held recently in Mumbai.
| Christopher Viehbacher, President, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi, addresses the 47th AGM of the OPPI |
Viehbacher said, “Access to innovative medicines can change the health of a nation. As an industry, we are committed to delivering innovative medicines that address the unmet medical needs of India. We urge the Government to offer greater IPR protection to pharma companies to encourage continued efforts towards drug discovery and development needed to combat diseases.”
Viehbacher referred to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) set by the UN for 2015 and said, “While India had made remarkable strides in reducing child mortality; what would further help India realise its vision for universal healthcare is an enabling environment and policy framework, with partnerships, open dialogue and transparency amongst public and private stakeholders.”
| Guest of Honour Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals Government of India makes a key point at the OPPI AGM |
Present at the meeting were Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP) as the Guest of Honour and Managing Directors, chief executive officers and top executives of pharma companies, key opinion leaders, senior government officials, experts and media persons.
Tapan Ray, Director General, OPPI announced the election of Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director – India and Vice President – South Asia, – Sanofi India as the new President of OPPI and Sudarshan Jain, Managing Director – Healthcare Solutions, Abbott Healthcare; Pheroze Khan, Managing Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb India; Aijaz Tobaccowalla, Managing Director, Pfizer and Lawrence Ganti, General Manager India, Merck (Merck Serono) as the Vice Presidents.
Ayyangar said, “I am honoured to have been nominated by my colleagues to be the President of OPPI for the year 2013-14. I assume this position from a stalwart, Ranjit Shahani who has served in this capacity for nearly a decade and has built great credibility for our industry. All of us in OPPI thank him for his extraordinary vision and contribution.”
The programme included the presentation of OPPI Excellence Awards and the release of OPPI publications.
Giving the vote of thanks, Ayyangar outlined his vision for OPPI’s agenda and future plans as president of this key industry association.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai