Three-for-one strategy scores at CPhI, P-MEC, ICSE India

Mumbai recently played host to four days of intense deal-making and information exchange at the co-located CPhI India, P-MEC India and ICSE India. Express Pharma, as the Exclusive Media Partner to the P-MEC show, had a ringside view of the events as they unfolded. We bring you the highlights …

The four-day event commenced with the launch of the debut edition of P-MEC India on November 24. Spread over multiple halls of the Bombay Exhibition Centre, the venue hummed with the noise of the latest machinery in the pharma and allied industries. Technology seminars and demonstrations ensured a mix of business and technology exchange that was the raison d'être behind the event.

Day 2 saw the formal launch of CPhI India and ICSE India by Dr M Ventakeshwarlu, Drug Controller General India (DCGI) and a host of industry heavyweights. After the traditional lighting of the sammire, M Gandhi, Managing Director, UBM India, welcomed the dignitaries, pointing out the reason why global events are introducing their India editions is the country's competitiveness.

David Levin, CEO, UBM, took the thought further, "The arrival of such shows is expected to pave the way for further expansion of the country's pharma industry. These exhibitions provide an opportunity for vital face to face meetings, which cement business relationships. India has a combination of hospitality and ambition, which makes it a good backdrop for events like CPhI."

Echoing this sentiment, Smitesh Shah, Executive Director, Pharmexcil, and Chairman and Managing Director, Calyx Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, spoke about the success story that is India. Thanking CPhI for being the 'catalyst for growth', he commented that while initial customers came for the costs, they stayed for the quality and are now investing for innovation. Alluding to the various initiatives taken up at Pharmexcil, he stated, "Pharmexcil has set the sails, the captains are manning the ship, and the lord will blow the wind."

B N Singh, President IDMA and Managing Director, Alkem Laboratories, bought up various issues facing the domestic industry and suggested solutions which could be taken up by the DCGI. Giving the vote of thanks, Eliane van Doorn, Group Director, Pharma, CMP, said that the number of pre-registrations over the net has already exceeded last year's record. She signed off by inviting the audience to next year's event, which is once again in Mumbai, from November 27-30, 2008.

Ready to roll: Dr Venkateswarlu, DCGI inaugurates CPhI India

Caught in action: The analytical instrument industry

"The real thing": Hrithik Roshan and Sachin Tendulkar look alikes distribute Express Pharma copies at the exhibition

After Hours: The exhibitors enjoy an eclectic cultural program over cocktails and dinner

Full House: The exhibition saw an assemblage of national and international visitors

The DCGI speaks …

After the dignitaries visited the crowded exhibition halls, they returned for a much awaited address by the DCGI. "Today, India is fourth in terms of volume and fourteenth in terms of value. One of the prime reasons for the above is the ancillary industry, also known as the pharma machinery industry, which has been a significant driver in the development of the Indian pharma industry. It has fulfilled all the technological developmental requirements of the Indian pharmaceutical Industry," said Dr Venkateswarlu. The India pharmaceutical industry, despite witnessing the changing phases of patents, pricing policies and counterfeits, still stands firm due to the advantage of a vast patient pool and competitive work force, making it a preferred destination for global players. This is the opportunity which has to be encashed. Dr Venkateswarlu further highlighted the regulation of the Indian pharma industry and what needs to be included to make it more effective. "Drug regulations are dynamic in nature because they depend on the development of the industry and disease profiles," he said.

The Indian industry has metamorphosised on many fronts. From being an import dependent sector, reverse engineering drugs from global majors to becoming an industry driving innovative product development, breaking new grounds in medicine research worldwide. If the early years saw the entry of MNCs, today we see the rise of Indian life science entrepreneurs. The trend today is to focus on contract research services, pointed out Dr Venkateshwarlu.

Talking about the counterfeits scare, the DCGI said that various terminologies needed to be defined and addressed and, "the need for educating consumers and patients on healthcare is vital." Ultimately, "The main objective is to ensure that patients get the right medicine at the right time and at the right price,"he concluded.

While the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL) was the main supporting organization other major industry associations like Indian Pharmaceutical Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPMMA) (exclusively for P-MEC India), Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA), Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and Indian Analytical Instruments Association (IAIA) also supported the events.

Mechanical Action: Pharma machinery on display

Multifaceted show

The show had many facets: The technology demonstrations conducted by exhibitors in their stalls as well as technical seminars at the venue. Off site, VDMA, the German Engineering Federation, also a supporting association to the event, organised a two-day symposium on ‘German Technology for the Pharmaceutical Industry’. The symposium was well attended and threw up new trends in machinery, which were reflected at the P-MEC India show.

Foreign Delegations at the Show

A key feature of the show was the number of international visitors and exhibitors. For example, 10 percent of pre registrations were delegates from the USA and Western Europe, while almost 40 percent of the pre registered visitors were from outside. Over 60 percent of the pre registered visitors were C-level executives and executive decision makers. A number of industry associations representing pharmaceutical companies of Europe and emerging countries were also at the event. Nepal's growing pharmaceutical industry was no doubt scouting for opportunities and partners at the event, under the banner of the Association for Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal's (APPON) while the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) did the same for Bangladesh. Similar delegations from Indonesia and Nigeria were also at the event.

Block your dates for …

Taking stock on the last day of the event, Hans Stoter, Event Manager, ICSE and P-MEC, said they were very satisfied with the response. Looking ahead to the debut launches and events planned for next year, he said, "In early April the (P-MEC) event will have its Japan debut alongside CPhI Japan - and then in August we will be in Brazil for the joint introduction of CPhI and P-MEC South America. Together, these events will mark the important extension of our presence in Asia and an exciting step into the developing markets of South America. Of course we have our existing P-MEC events in Europe, Frankfurt in 2008, China and India on an annual basis."

editorial.ep@expressindia.com