69th IPCE to flag concerns over import of raw material for drugs

Chandigarh [India], Dec.21 (ANI): The 69th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress and Exhibition (IPCE) to be held from December 22-24 here, is expected to focus on flag its concern over India's dependence on import of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients(API), the crucial raw material for manufacturing drugs.

According to Dr.Shailendra Saraf, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the IPCE 2017, India has emerged as a key supplier of generic and affordable medicines for the world market, but it's overwhelming dependence on China for API to the extent of over 65 per cent of the requirement, is a major worry.

The discussions on API will take place in backdrop of recommendations of a committee headed by V.M. Katoch, Former Secretary of Department of Health Research, who has suggested the setting up of mega parks for API or bulk drugs manufacturing.

It was brought to light that India has traditionally been focusing on process patents, but from 2005 onwards, importance of having product patents has come into limelight.

"There has been a paradigm shift in this area as India is number 2 only to USA in applications for product patents with the USFDA. The Congress will have discussions by key speakers on the strides being made in this direction of discovering new drug molecules," said Dr. Saraf.

"I am very glad to state that out of 2450 abstracts received, 1950 abstracts have been selected through peer review by expert committee for the presentation in various sessions. I would also like to proudly mention that around 10000 delegates are expected to participate in the Congress. There will be 68 speakers and 30 out of these will be from abroad." said Dr.Dhirender Kaushik, Organising Secretary,LOC, PCI 2017.

"Forums like IPC provide a unique opportunity to pharma educationalists to interact with industry and regulatory professionals and allow them to acquaint themselves with recent technologies through technical sessions and pharma expo. It would help academicians to look into their curriculum and incorporate content beyond syllabus as per the current need of the industries," said Madhu Chitkara, Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University.

"The Congress will be inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab, V P Singh Badnore, on December 22. Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Health Minister, Punjab, will also be there. We will be having technical sessions by industry bigwigs during the three-day Congress. In fact, Prof. B Suresh, President, Pharmacy Council of India(PCI) and Dr. G N Singh, Drug Controller General of India, will be attending the inaugural session from 11 a.m. onwards on Dec 22. The theme of the Congress is 'Skill and will to make quality pill', and the discussions will be centred around three main tracks- pharma education, pharmacy practice and industry-cum-regulations," said Dr. Saraf.

The experts from pharma manufacturing industry, top pharmacists and academicians will discuss threadbare the importance of good quality and safe medicines. Focus of the current Congress would be on exploring new avenues in capacity building, critical monitoring and evaluation of pharmaceutical products to produce quality and safe medications.

This year's Congress is being coordinated by Association of Pharmaceuticals Teachers of India(APTI) and Dr. Swarnlata Saraf, Vice President, Association of Pharmaceuticals Teachers of India (Central Zone) also partcipated in the press meet.

New innovations of pharmaceutical machinery and laboratory equipment etc. from India and overseas will be showcased and run concurrently alongside the technical sessions.

"We will be adopting a resolution on the final day which will be submitted to the Central Government for appropriate action," concluded Dr.Saraf. (ANI)