Indian Pharma Alliance Calls for US-India Trade Partnership

This partnership aims to bolster health and national security by showcasing Indian pharmaceutical firms as key allies in delivering affordable medications to the US.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), representing 23 leading Indian research-based generic pharmaceutical companies, convened at the DAR Museum in Washington, DC, to urge a US-India trade partnership aimed at reducing reliance on foreign sources for pharmaceutical supply chains.

This initiative seeks to achieve affordable medicine resilience for both nations and strengthen health security.

The IPA leaders cited a significant study by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science titled "US - India Medicine Partnership: India's Contributions to US Healthcare."

This study emphasizes India's crucial role in the US healthcare system and underscores the importance of the US-India relationship in enhancing the health security of both nations.

Call for 'Affordable Medicine Partnership'

With a growing dependence on foreign sources for basic medicines such as hypertensives and antibiotics, the IPA executives advocated for a transformative 'Affordable Medicine Partnership.'

This partnership aims to strengthen health and national security in the US and India by emphasizing the role of Indian pharmaceutical companies as strategic partners in providing affordable medicines to America.

Sharing thoughts, Sharvil Patel, VP, IPA and MD, Zydus Lifesciences, said, "The time has come to restore balance and build resilience in these critical networks. This is not merely prudent - it is crucial."

The proposed Affordable Medicine Partnership aligns with the February 2021 executive order on America's supply chains, which identified pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients as critical supply chain risks.

President Biden emphasized the need for resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains to safeguard economic prosperity and national security.

India's Contributions to US Healthcare

According to the IQVIA Institute report, India has been a critical source of affordable medicines for the United States.

90% of prescribed medicines for Americans are generic, with 47% filled with products from Indian pharmaceutical companies.

These companies contribute significantly to annual savings in the US healthcare system, totaling over $219 billion annually and $1.3 trillion over the past decade.

Patel reiterated the Indian pharmaceutical industry's commitment to serving as America's medicine partners.

He emphasized the vital contributions of Indian firms to the US healthcare system, citing their significant presence in key therapeutic areas and their role in delivering affordable and high-quality care to American communities.

Vinita Gupta, CEO, Lupin, highlighted the strategic significance of the proposed partnership, aligning it with existing US-India collaborations in energy, climate, and semiconductors.

"The lessons learned from the pandemic have unequivocally shown us that health is intrinsically linked to industrial prowess and national security. It's clear that health underpins all critical sectors. With this initiative, we aim to bolster the health infrastructure crucial to our industrial sectors and national militaries, thereby enhancing the health security of both nations," she added.

Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of the IPA, expressed the organization's commitment to advancing health security and fostering international cooperation.

He emphasized the need for collective expertise, dedication, and collaboration at both governmental and industry levels to realize the goals of the Affordable Medicine Partnership.

The pharmaceutical leaders are engaged in high-level meetings with the Administration and members of Congress in Washington DC to advance the need for an "Affordable Medicine Trade Partnership."

Similar to efforts to reduce reliance on semiconductor chips and other critical national security needs, this initiative seeks to strengthen medicine supply chains and enhance health security for both nations.