As much as 70% of WHO’s total vaccines are sourced from India and 14% of generics imported by the US also come from India, the Centre today said, highlighting the strides made in the direction, Minister of State for Health & Family Anupriya Patel today said.
“India continues to be a leading supplier of vaccines. As much as 70% of WHO’s total vaccines are sourced from India,” Patel said in her keynote address at the inaugural session of the Second Policymakers’ Forum organised by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, India started the Vaccine Maitri initiative and supplied vaccines to more than 100 friendly countries, depicting its deep sense of responsibility towards global health and intention of helping friendly countries in times of distress.”
“India continues to be a leader in drug manufacturing, especially when it comes to generic medicines. 14% of generics imported by the US come from India while India also has the maximum number of US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recognised drug manufacturing plants,” she said
“Seventy percent of our generics are exported to the highly regulated markets and our pharmacopeial regulations are regularly visited to meet the global benchmarks,” she added
Aimed at promoting the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and collaboration in India’s flagship affordable medicines initiative—the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the Forum is being organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in association with the Ministry of External Affairs.
An international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 24 countries is also participating in the forum. During the four-day program (June 16–19), delegates will engage in technical sessions focused on pharmacopeial standards, India’s regulatory landscape, and successful public health schemes, according to officials.
In addition, site visits to IPC’s state-of-the-art laboratories in Ghaziabad, a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Agra, as well as leading pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing and R&D facilities in Ahmedabad, have been arranged to provide delegates with first-hand exposure to India’s robust scientific and regulatory systems, they added.
