India’s Pharmaceutical Industry | 09 Jul 2024

Source: BS

Why in News?

Recently, around 36% of pharmaceutical manufacturing units inspected by the Indian drug regulator were shut down for non-compliance with quality standards following risk-based inspections by the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) since December 2022.

What are the Incidents Highlighting Quality Control Failures? 

• According to a report by Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and McKinsey & Company in 2023, the  US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified 13% of its 145 inspections of Indian facilities as Official Action Indication (OAI), which is lower than the global average of 15% OAIs.

  • Data integrity issues were prevalent, including falsified data, improper cohort distribution, questionable sample reanalysis practices, and poor systemic quality management.

• In October 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert linking four products from India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals to acute kidney injury and 66 child deaths in Gambia, due to contamination with toxic chemicals diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

• In December 2022, the CDSCO initiated a probe in connection with the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan allegedly linked to a cough syrup manufactured by Indian firm Marion Biotech.

  • Recently, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) raised concerns over a drug-resistant bacteria strain allegedly linked to eye drops imported from India.

• In January 2020, 12 children in Jammu died after consuming contaminated medicine, that was found to contain diethylene glycol, which led to kidney poisoning.

What is the Status of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry?

• Current Scenario: 

  • India is one of the biggest suppliers of low-cost vaccines in the world and is the largest provider of generic medicines globally, occupying a 20% share in global supply by volume.

    • India accounts for 60% of global vaccine production making it the largest vaccine producer in the world.
  • The Pharmaceutical industry in India is the 3^rd largest in the world in terms of volume and 14^th largest in terms of value. 
    • The Pharma sector currently contributes to around 1.72% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Market Size & Investments: India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide and 3rd largest destination for biotechnology in Asia Pacific.
  • The Indian pharmaceutical industry has seen a massive expansion over the last few years and is expected to reach about 13% of the size of the global pharma market while enhancing its quality, affordability, and innovation.
  • Up to 100%, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been allowed through automatic routes for Greenfield pharmaceuticals projects. 

    • For Brownfield Pharmaceuticals projects, FDI allowed is up to 74% through automatic route and beyond that through government approval.

  • Indian pharmaceutical market is estimated to touch USD 130 billion in value by the end of 2030.
• Exports: Pharmaceutical is one of the top ten attractive sectors for foreign investment in India. The pharmaceutical exports reached more than 200 nations around the world, including highly regulated markets of the USA, West Europe, Japan, and Australia. 
  • India’s drugs and pharmaceuticals exports stood at USD 22.51 billion in FY24 (April-January) recording a strong year-on-year growth of 8.12% during the period.

What are the Major Challenges with India’s Pharma Sector?

• Violation of IPR Rules: Indian pharmaceutical companies have faced allegations of violating Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws, resulting in legal disputes with multinational pharmaceutical companies.
  • One such case involved Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche and Indian drug manufacturer Cipla in 2014.
    • Roche claimed Cipla copied its cancer drug Tarceva, leading to a legal fight where Cipla was found guilty and ordered to compensate Roche.
• Pricing and Affordability: India is known for its generic drug manufacturing capabilities, which have contributed to affordable healthcare globally.
  • However, ensuring medicines in India are affordable while maintaining pharmaceutical companies' profitability is challenging.
  • Additionally, quality problems in generic drugs could harm the reputation of the industry, which supplies more than 90% of US prescriptions.
• Healthcare Infrastructure and Access: Despite India's strong pharmaceutical industry, access to healthcare remains a challenge for a significant portion of the population.
  • Issues such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, uneven distribution of healthcare facilities, and low health insurance coverage pose barriers to accessing medicines.
• Overdependence on Imports: The Indian pharma sector relies heavily on imports for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), the raw materials for drugs. Disruptions in the global supply chain can lead to shortages and price hikes.

Way Forward

• Legislative Changes and Centralised Database: Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940) needs to be amended and the establishment of a centralised drugs database can enhance surveillance and ensure effective regulation across all manufacturers.
  • India has 36 regional drug regulators; consolidating them into a single entity can reduce the risk of regulatory capture and influence networks.
  • Also, implementing common quality standards across all states is necessary to ensure consistent product quality.
• Promote Continuous Improvement Programs: Motivate  pharmaceutical companies to implement  voluntary quality management systems and self-improvement initiatives. This can be fostered through industry associations and government incentives.
• Transparency and Public Reporting:  Increase transparency in regulatory actions and public reporting of quality control failures. This can be achieved through designated government portals for sharing inspection reports and drug recalls.
• Focus on Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Emphasising sustainable manufacturing practices, including green chemistry, waste reduction, and energy efficiency, can enhance the sector's environmental sustainability while reducing costs.
  • Adopting environmentally friendly practices can also contribute to a positive brand image and attract environmentally conscious consumers.
• Digital Drug Regulatory System (DDRS): A request for proposal has been floated for the DDRS, which will be an umbrella portal for pharmaceutical regulations.
  • The SUGAM portal is being enhanced to create an improved version. This new version will integrate all the activities and functions of the CDSCO. Eventually, it will also include the state drug controllers and other relevant agencies under its purview.
• Streamlining and Rationalising the Drug Regulatory Structure and Functions: The government should create a single, central authority with adequate powers, resources, expertise and autonomy to regulate the entire pharma sector and ensure effective enforcement and compliance of the drug laws and norms.
• Strengthen  Pharmacovigilance:  Enhance  surveillance of drugs post-marketing to identify and address adverse effects promptly. This aligns with recommendations for stricter quality control measures.