By Anupriya Patel
Today, India has established itself as the ‘Pharmacy’ of the world, and in line of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, we are now moving ahead from a generic drug-making nation to becoming an ‘Innovation-based’ global power. Our government aims to formulate policies that can enable every citizen receiving quality medicines at affordable price. Also, the government is continuously encouraging research and development and striving hard to turn Indian pharma industries more competitive at the global platform.
So far, India’s success has been based on its production capacity, cost efficiency and quality standards. Supplying approximately 20 percent of the world’s generic medicines and 60 percent of its vaccines, the country has played a crucial role in global health security. Keeping this in view, the Government of India has set a target of turning the country as a global hub of high-value, innovation-based biopharma and advanced therapeutic products in next 8-10 years.
The Rs 10,000 crore ‘Biopharma Shakti’ initiative, significantly announced in the recent Union Budget, is the cornerstone of this step. The programme will provide impetus to scientific research, innovation-based industries and development of next generation medicines in the country.
It’s evident from economic data that India’s pharmaceutical industry is currently worth 50 billion dollars. The pace with which we are advancing, it is expected to touch 130 billion dollars mark by 2030. It should not be viewed mere as a statistics, but also as a roadmap for a better future for millions of youth of the nation.
Currently, the pharmaceutical industry employs over 30 lakh people directly and indirectly. By 2030, 20-25 lakh new jobs are expected to be created in the healthcare and pharma sector. Emerging areas like biopharma, medtech and clinical research have opened new avenues of possibilities.
Our government believes that the foundation of youth success rests on a strong educational framework. Keeping this vision in mind, several new revolutionary steps have been taken for the pharma sector in the Union Budget. The Government has decided to set up three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) in the country. Along with this, seven existing NIPER institutions are being upgraded. ‘Centres of Excellence’ have been set up in these seven institutions, which will take research and development to new heights. Researches are being encouraged in specific areas through these centres. Research and Development of Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial Drugs at NIPER Mohali, Medical Devices at NIPER Ahmedabad, Bulk Drugs at NIPER Hyderabad, Flow Chemistry and Sustainable Manufacturing at NIPER Kolkata, Nobel Drug Delivery System at NIPER Rae Bareli, Phytopharmaceuticals at NIPER Guwahati and Centre of Excellence on Biological Therapeutics at NIPER Hajipur have been established. Our students will be directly benefitted from these institutions. NIPERs will no longer be mere degree-granting institutions, but they will become centres where students will work on the real challenges of the industry. This will not make our students mere a ‘job seeker’, but evolve them as ‘job creators’ and innovators.
With changing times style of functioning too are changing fast. It is estimated that by 2030, about 30-35 percent of the workforce in the pharma sector will need re-skilling. The definitions of care delivery, research and manufacturing are changing. The demand for young professionals with high skills in data analytics, digital health and regulatory affairs will grow exponentially. Our government is focused on bridging this ‘skill gaps’. We want to equip our students with world-class training in clinical research and Research & Development arena.
Bridging the gap between academia and industry too is our top priority. We will not be able to reap the full benefits of the ‘demographic dividend’, if the curriculum taught in our college is not in sync with the needs of the industry.
That is why, we are strengthening the ‘Industry-Academia Partnership’. Moving in this direction, altogether 356 MoUs have been signed between NIPER and the Industry to create synergy between academia and industries. Also, opportunities are being given to students to directly connect with companies through skill development missions. This will not only increase the employability of the youth, but will also make India a global innovation hub.
The development of the pharmaceutical sector is a mission of increasing GDP as well as empowering the youth of the nation. The foundation of the knowledge-based economy hinges on the shoulders of our young scientists, researchers and professionals. The expansion of NIPER and the provisions made in the budget are the testimony of this. We are creating an ecosystem where a student can make a difference globally with their talent and hard work. This golden era of India’s pharma sector presents a splendid opportunity for our youth, who are striving hard to lay a solid foundation for realising Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047’.
(The writer is Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers.)
