Ministry to discuss impact of TPP on pharma sector in Jan or Feb
In order to increase pharmaceutical exports and resolve various issues related to declining exports, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) recently organised a meeting of the Committee of Administration (COA) in Mumbai.
According to industry sources, the meeting was attended by COA members of Pharmexcil, Dr PV Appaji and Sudhanshu Pandey, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Industry sources informed that Pandey in his address raised concerns over the challenges being faced by pharma exporters. He informed that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is considering giving the extension criteria of advance authorisation without policy number 9 to the pharma industry. While informing about the parent-child relationship between secondary and tertiary packaging line, Pandey informed the members that based on the industry request it has been abandoned for a year.
Pandey also said that Pharmexcil has constructed a new warehouse in Nigeria, which is now ready for commercial use. He indicated that it would be launched during iPHEX Africa due to be held from February 18-20, 2016. It has been decided to offer per square feet rent at $7. The council will offer 70 per cent discount on rent for the first year and 50 per cent and 30 per cent in second and third years respectively.
Besides these announcements, he also informed that there have been constant dialogues with the regulatory authority in Ghana for the recognition and acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) in that country, apart from British Pharmacopoeia and US Pharmacopoeia.
Bharat Desai, COA Member, Pharmexcil and Chairman, Indian Drug Manufactures’ Association -Gujarat State Board said, “Today, in Ghana 70 per cent of pharma producers are of Indian origin and are waiting for recognition of IP in Ghana.”
Desai informed, “During the meeting, Pandey mentioned that the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India will be calling for a joint meeting with all the pharma associations to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and its impact on the Indian pharma industry. Post 2017, many products of multinational pharma companies are going off patent and to encourage them, the Obama government is planning to give an extension of 20 more years to the innovator, in addition to the 12 year data exclusivity as well. Pandey advised the members to protest against the move and also informed that two NGOs based out in France and Geneva are also opposing the move.”
Desai stressed on the fact that if TPP happens in pharma then Indian pharma companies will be impacted as the innovator would effectively get overall patent rights for 52 years. An industry source revealed that the joint meeting is likely to take place in January or February.
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