New Delhi (NVI): Complementing the India’s status as the leader of the global pharmaceutical industry and generic medicines, the World Health Organization has called the country as the pharmacy capital of the world.
“India is the pharmacy capital of the world not just for vaccines and generic drugs but now also for medical devices,” WHO representative to India Dr Henk Bekedam said at the closing ceremony of 2019 World Conference on Access To Medical Products here yesterday.
“I appreciate the regulatory framework that is followed in India and I applaud the fact that now India has launched the biggest hepatitis B program in the under-developed world,” he added.
He also highlighted how the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) is reducing the out of pocket expenditure of the people and providing cashless tertiary care
Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the World Conference.
The dignitaries present at the closing ceremony were Mr. Zahid Maleque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ms. Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo, Minister for Health, Royal Government of Bhutan, Dr. Arun Panda, Secretary I/C, MoHFW, Mr. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH, Ms. Shubra Singh, Chairperson, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Dr. Henk Bekedam, WHO representative to India and Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and MD, Biocon Ltd.
Speaking on the occasion Ashwini K Choubey said that India has always been a health aware country as we have always believed in the ‘panchtatva’ (agni, jal vaayu, prithvi and aakash) that make up the universal space around us all.
He also stated that India is the leader of the global pharmaceutical industry and generic medicines.
He highlighted the ambitious program in public health, “Ayushman Bharat,” rolled out across the country with its two pillars that are Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) & Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PMJAY). He said these programmes are contributing towards reducing catastrophic out of pocket expenditure and expanding Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”.
He further stated that with NHP 2017 India has given priority to preventive, promotive and affordable healthcare.
Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Arun Panda also addressed the gathering by saying that innovation, research and gains in information technology lead to more affordable and accessible healthcare.
-sb
