India has immense potential in biomedical science to improve healthcare: Report

New Delhi: Patient Safety & Access Initiative of India Foundation (PSAIIF) in association with Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) and Indian Alliance of Patient Groups (IAPG) released a report titled- ‘Unlocking India’s Potential in Biomedical Science & Innovation to improve healthcare in India and for the World’. The report was released by Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, in presence of other key dignitaries from the think-tank.

The report was convened on the basis of a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion, centered around the theme of Science and innovation, held on August 4, 2017 in New Delhi. The discussions highlighted the value of global advancements playing a key role to move up the value chain in biomedical research and delivering new ways to detect, treat and cure diseases. The report reflects and provides recommendations from the insights shared by the key experts around bolstering the growth of biomedical and biopharmaceutical innovation in the country.

Key recommendations of the report include the increase in sectoral competitiveness through a more robust IPR regime; Strengthen the pharma innovation ecosystem across four key dimensions: Infrastructure, Financing, Human Resources and Legal and Regulatory framework.

On the release of the report, Mr Amitabh Kant complimented and congratulated the members involved in assembling the insights and data in the report. He said, “I am extremely delighted to release the report and it has some pathbreaking recommendations. Biomedical science and innovation is an important topic and through such initiatives, we will be able to comprehend that why India has not realized its potential despite being a hub for research and innovation.”

On the occasion, Prof Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, PSAIIF said, “I am delighted to be a part of this report and feel it is the right time for us to take this initiative when our government has launched a commendable initiative of Ayushman Bharat. I believe that biopharmaceutical innovation and new drug discovery delivers far-reaching benefits to patients, improving health care systems and national economies by enabling patient access to medicines, for preventable disease. It is a crucial to leverage new technologies to develop groundbreaking therapies to help uplift the underprivileged.”

Prof N K Ganguly, former Director General, ICMR stated, “we can extend ‘Make in India’ to ‘Innovate in India’. Our scientists and universities should also be incentivized so that we attract the brightest minds to carry out cutting-edge research. We need a strong intellectual property (IP) framework that respects and protects IP rights, encourages research and helps commercialize innovation to translate research output into products of value. Pro-innovation policies in India will help to advance the development of innovative medicines and offer new hope to Indian patients”

The report highlighted some key recommendations including increased sectoral competitiveness through a more robust IPR regime and strengthening the pharma innovation ecosystem. If these recommendations are adapted sincerely, it will lead us on the path of progress, bringing innovation-driven cures to patients and contributing to the Prime Minister’s vision of a modern and developed India.