Research-based pharma companies have created roughly 50 health partnerships over the last decade
Improving access through innovation and research and development aimed at finding tomorrow’s cures will continue to remain the primary focus for innovative pharmaceutical companies in India. This was stated at the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India’s (OPPI) Conclave on ‘Access, Innovation and Reach of Healthcare in India’ held at the Nehru Centre.
The conclave intended to bring together distinguished globally-acclaimed professionals, experts, government officials and other stakeholders of the healthcare and allied sectors to chart a way forward to help achieving the healthcare goals of India. Among those who participated were Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO-India Representative, Dr K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Hrudayalaya Group of Hospitals.
According to OPPI, research-based pharma companies have created roughly 50 health partnerships over the last decade that have been helping improve the health of millions of people. While some have increased participation in charitable programmes and joint public-private initiatives aimed at treating infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, others are furthering disease awareness programmes and building support networks for doctors and patients, all while continuing research and development to find new cures and treatments.
Tapan Ray, Director-General, OPPI, “Access to healthcare comprises not just of medicines, but more importantly a robust healthcare infrastructure including, doctors, paramedics, diagnostics, health centres and hospitals. In India, the demand for these services has outstripped supply. However, the key focus of the Government has still remained primarily on access to medicines. There is an urgent need to have a holistic approach in developing adequate healthcare infrastructure, efficient delivery system for medical supplies and creation of a talent pool of healthcare professionals/paramedics to ensure adequate access to healthcare for all the citizens of the country. OPPI has undertaken a study on ‘Enhancing Healthcare Access in India’. The study aims at identifying the key barriers in accessing healthcare today, what needs to be done to eliminate these barriers and develop a roadmap for improving healthcare access in the country.”
According to Ranjit Shahani, President, OPPI, “Research-based pharmaceutical companies have a long legacy of corporate responsibility in India, with countless contributions to the improvement of health outcomes in the country. We are working every day around the clock to find new treatments and cures for society’s greatest health problems.”
EP News Bureau
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