Indian Pharma Industry should make 40 per cent of the world's generic drugs: APJ Abdul Kalam

31 March 2008

Mumbai: Former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has expressed his vision of seeing India as a hub for scientific research and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and has challenged the Indian pharmaceutical industry to set itself a target of producing 40 per cent of world's generic medicines.

He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Alembic Ltd, where he was the chief guest and the keynote speaker.

In recent times, a number of Indian pharmaceutical companies have been getting sued over patent issues, such as the recent spat between Cipla and Roche over a lung cancer treatment drug. (See: Cipla to continue selling its version of Roche's lung cancer treatment drug) and also Ranbaxy and Glaxosmithkline (See: Ranbaxy announces settlement of possible Imitrex litigation with Glaxosmithkline)

Independent research organisation Datamonitor had predicted a destabilisation of global pharmaceutical majors on account of patent expiries. (See: Patent expiries destabilise global pharmaceutical majors, says Datamonitor research )

Clearly seeing the opportunities in the sector, Dr Kalam has laid out a fresh mandate for the country's pharmaceutical ndustries.

Earlier in the celebrations, Chirayu R Amin, chairman and managing director of Alembic Ltd in his welcome speech assured the dignitaries that Alembic would continue to be socially responsible, knowledge driven and people centric organization. He said "After reaching 100 years, we confidently and proud enter the next centenary with a rich history, experience and value system. Alembic is looking at the future with confidence and our next target is to touch Rs2000 crore turnover in the next four years".