(a) Whether India lags behind China in manufacturing medicines in spite of India being a global Research and Development (R&D) hub;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any help in the form of equipments and technical knowhow has been offered to India by any international organization so as to make best use of the globally recognized R&D facilities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) to (d): Despite its unique strengths like expertise in process chemistry,
availability of abundant and high quality talent, and growing hospital
infrastructure, India accounts for very little of woridwide spending on
pharmaceutical research and development. India has emerged a global leader for
providing Generic medicines to the world while China is a leading Bulk Drug
manufacturing country.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with a consultancy firm has
prepared a `White Paper` for making India a Pharma`R&D and Innovation Hub by 2020.
The White paper envisages that the Government of India is required to scale up its
investments and undertake deliberate action for Building infrastructure for
education and research, offering financial incentives to encourage and incubate
innovation, shaping a- favourable regulatory environment etc. for India to be
among the top five global innovation hubs by 2020.