“OPPI welcomes the commitment of the Government to – reduce infant and maternal mortality rates

“OPPI welcomes the commitment of the Government to – reduce infant and maternal mortality rates; eliminate certain diseases like TB, leprosy, measles and filaria and make structural reforms in medical practice and education.  The Government’s intention of transforming 1.5 lakh health sub-centres is encouraging.  We also appreciate the Government’s intent to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act which will be a step towards ensuring patient safety.

 We had some expectations from the Union Budget 2017-18, given the Government’s past stated intentions of improving access to healthcare. Yesterday’s World Economic Forum said that that India’s public spending on healthcare is much lower than the global average. It is unclear whether the allocations will adequately address current healthcare challenges. We also hoped for some reform announcements on the regulatory front in the form of weighted deduction on R&D, incentives for patents, exemptions of certain duties and taxes, etc.”

About OPPI:

The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) was established in 1965 and represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies in India. OPPI remains committed to supporting the nation’s healthcare objectives and collaborating with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions. OPPI believes the need for innovation must be balanced with the necessity for more accessible medicines, within a robust IP environment. For more information, please visit www.indiaoppi.com