“In this age of product-process patent and intellectual property rights, discovery of new drugs holds significance. Moreover, a social environment, under which the firms follow the rule at their own, should also be created. If this is not done, it will make way for the rise of holistic healthcare culture in India too,” said Gujarat’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

After a gap of 23 years, The 61st Indian Pharmaceutical Congress was formally begun on Friday at Nirma University Campus in Ahmedabad. The summit was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Jay Narayan Vyas and Minster of State, Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Parbatbhai Patel.

The inaugural function was presided over by Shri S. W. Deshpande, President, IPCA and other dignitaries who were present at the function include Shri Ravikant, President, AIDCOC, Shri Atul Nasa, President, IPGA, Dr. B. Suresh, President, IPA, Dr. P. G. Yeole, President, APTI, Shri S. L. Nasa, President, IHPA, Shri S. Krishna Dev, General Secretary, IPCA, Shri Pradip Vavia, Convener, Scientific Services, Shri H. G. Koshia, Chairman, LOC, Dr. S. P. Adeshara, Chief Coordinator, Shri K. K. Goswami, Organizing Secretary, LOC, Shri Pankaj Patel, Zydus Cadila, Chief Patron, Shri I. A. Modi, Cadila Pharma, Patron, Shri Sudhir Mehta, Torrent Pharma, Patron, Shri Dinesh Mody, Unique Pharma, Patron, Shri Arjun Handa, Claris Life Science, Patron, Shri Dilip Sanghvi, Sun Pharma, Patron, Dr. Karsanbhai Patel, Nirma University, Patron and Shri Ranjan Kohli, FICCI.

In his address, Chief Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on the need of research and development activity. Modi said that instead of focusing on higher numbers of ‘directed’ prescription, the pharmaceutical companies should come forward to put more thrust on research and development, as it is the only way to make the healthcare services meaningfully affordable to the poor.

Assuring the industry full cooperation from government in fight against sub-standard and spurious drugs, he said, “Gujarat government is ready to extend all help in putting an end to this kind of practice, provided it should be brought to the notice of the government.”

Earlier speaking at the function, Gujarat Healthcare and Family Welfare Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said, “Vast price difference between the generic drugs and branded medicines meant for the same treatment is really ironic.So drug companies should take some step to reduce this difference.”

He further said the world is changing with a rapid pace and everybody has to change accordingly. In case of pharma companies, new technology and knowledge are must for an effective and affordable drug delivery system. He also expressed concern over sub –standard and spurious drugs.

“Indian pharma industry stands at third position in terms of size and at fourth position, but when it comes to value, its rank is thirteenth. To perform better on this front, the industry needs core and extensive focus on R&D activity,” Vyas added.

Some dignitaries were also given awards for their contribution for the growth of the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. A. Ramkrishan and Shri M. Bhaskarn received the awards for Best Drug Controller Officer Award, while Subodh Priolkar was given the Eminent Pharmacist Award. Dr. Rao V. S. V. Vadlamudi was given Professor M. L. Khorana Memorial Lecture Award. Other dignitaries who received the awards at the function include Ms. Anitha Jose (Professor M. L. Khorana Medal), Ms. Pankti Desai (Professor M. L. Khorana Medal), Professor H. L. Bhalla (Professor K. C. Chatterjee Memorial Award), Professor Tilak Raj Juneja (Professor G. P. Srivastav Memorial Award) and Shri Pankajbhai Patel, Zydus Cadila (Shroff Memorial National Award).

Shri I. A. Modi, Cadila Pharma (Pharma industry), Dr. C. J. Shishoo & Shri C. G. Bhavsar (Pharma Education), Shri M. R. Shastri, Shri A. G. Shah, Shri Girishbhai Bhagat, Shri Subodh P. Adeshra, Shri Hemant G. Koshia and Shri K. K. Goswami (all Drug Controller) were given felicitation at the function.

A souvenir and an abstract of research work were also released at the function. The 62nd conference of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress will be organized at Manipal University in Karnataka.