‘71st FIP will enhance image of Indian pharma sector’

Persistant efforts have made it possible for the Indian host committee to bring an international event like International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to India this year. Ajit Singh, Expert Member, Bureau of Pharmaceutical Sciences, FIP and chairman, ACG Worldwide shares details of his role as a committee member and the potential of the event with Usha Sharma

Why did the global FIP committee decide to bring the 71st FIP to India?

There was a lot of work done behind the scene to help enable the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) make a decision to host this huge international event in India. Two members of Indian origin who have played a leadership role in the FIP for many years are chiefly responsible for this decision. I am referring to Prof Kamal H Midha and Dr Vinod P Shah. Prof Midha, after winning Canada's highest scientific accolades, was elected as the International President of the FIP. Shah worked with the US FDA for many years and was the first Indian president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), another huge and respected body. For many years, he has been the Scientific Secretary of the FIP.

There was also a small active group in India consisting of Dr B Suresh, now head of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Prafull D Sheth, formerly of Ranbaxy and vice president, FIP, Dr C Gopalakrishna Murty, president, IPA and former Drugs Controller, Andhra Pradesh, S D Joag, general secretary, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Subodh Priolkar, former head of IPA, and now heading Colorcon, India.

While, the Indian group worked on creating a favourable mind-set within the IPA, two senior members of the FIP guided this objective within FIP. The FIP normally chooses its international events destination several years in advance. In the last few years India has greatly advanced its infrastructure and capability to hold such a large event. Hence the delay was fortuitous.

Hyderabad is known as a contract research and manufacturing hub, what are your expectations from this event?

My expectations from this mega event are that this will further enrich the image of pharmacists in the country. India's standing in the world pharma community will also be enhanced. The overseas pharmacists, industry personnel and academia that are attending will be introduced to the advancements India has made in pharma distribution, research and manufacturing. We do not always acknowledge the great strides made by India in pharma. The overseas visitors will be able to notice and appreciate India's advancement. Pharma companies and contract research organisations can also expect many tie-ups - scientific, technical and commercial. I also see a spurt in India's exports following the conference. The Ministry of Commerce, Government of India under the very able leadership of Dr Rahul Khullar, Secretary and Rajeev Kher, Joint Secretary, have an ambitious target of increasing India's exports of pharma products from approximately $ 11 billion to $ 25 billion in the next three years. Including Pharmexcil, should support and help promote this event. By being actively present, they will be able to observe, the world's reaction to Indian pharma products, technology, science and low-cost distribution.

By being there, the Government will be able to understand the importance given to pharmacists in other countries. In many parts of Africa they are addressed by the honorific title of "Doctor". They can form an invaluable ally to the Government for their objectives of wider rural distribution, promotion of generics and safety of patients.

What kind of industry as well as academic support are you looking for?

We are getting support from many quarters. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India, has consented to inaugurate the FIP conference on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at Hyderabad. Both industry and academia are expected to provide immense assistance. With a strong manufacturing and research track running through the conference, its major part also concerns the multifarious contributions of pharmacists globally. About 2000 pharmacists from dozens of countries will converge in Hyderabad for the six day event. The exported products of Indian pharma companies, are sold in pharmacies across the globe. Through this event, the industry will have a chance to meet the last and most important link of the supply chain, for the very first time in India. By participating in the exhibition and displaying their formulations, the Indian pharma industry will have a rare chance to promote their branded and generic products. As we know, the drug store pharmacist is increasingly making decisions on generic substitutions and which brands to hold in stock and which ones to offer. The Indian bulk drug industry will also benefit as many pharmacists in Europe and elsewhere, formulate products themselves in the pharmacy, using bulk drugs. In Brazil the practice is very widespread and these drug stores are known as 'manipulation pharmacies'. The industry will also have an opportunity of inviting global pharmacists and drug store owners for tours of their factories, presenting to them where good Indian quality comes from. If your exports destination is, say, the Philippines imagine hosting 50 drug store owners in your factory. Years of export work and penetration completed in one afternoon! International journalists present could also be invited to publicise the brand image of Indian companies worldwide. If I were the owner of a pharma company or head of marketing, I wouldn’t have thought twice of participating and sponsoring this event, so as to fully utilise this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The scientific pharma community from India and overseas will also be present in large numbers. International scientific experts will be delivering lectures at the conference. Considering that this community is a large source of IPR and patents and can serve as consultants, I would expect industry to be present in a prominent way. The FIP conference will also introduce India to international communities of military pharmacists, emergency pharmacists, nuclear pharmacists and other categories that exist in India but have never been recognised nor organised.

What is the biggest challenge you anticipate at the 71st FIP and how do you plan to manage it?

The challenge is in its size. The 71st FIP at Hyderabad is expected to see the largest gathering of the international pharmacy and pharma industry community, ever to be held in India. As locations, Mumbai and Delhi have perhaps greater expertise but simply have no ready-made conference facilities of global standards for an event of this stature.

Maharashtra should build the infrastructure to host such events in Mumbai in the future. Many major industry leaders and their head offices are located here. However, other than the efforts of the Minister of State for Home, Rural Development, Food and Drugs Administration, Satej D Patil, I do not see much activity in reaching out to the pharma community and attracting them to Maharashtra. With regard to international planning, publicity and ground management of the event, this has traditionally been the responsibility of the FIP Secretariat based in Holland and their contractors. Knowing the high quality standards in everything they do, I expect the 71st FIP to be well implemented.

How many members have been associated with the 71st FIP and what are their roles? And what is your role in the making of 71st FIP?

Amongst the key members associated with the 71st FIP from India are Dr B Suresh, Dr C Gopalkrishna Murty, Prafull Sheth, S D Joag, Subodh Priolkar, T B Nair, former Executive Secretary, IPA, who has been seconded to Hyderabad for this event, and many others. Sheth is globally recognised and as Vice President — FIP and former IPA President has formed a valuable link to the FIP world. If I have omitted any names in this interview, and I must have, I request the indulgence of the persons concerned. As a member of the India host committee, I do not have any direct responsibility in managing the conference. The role of India host committee is to ensure a large number of registrants from India to the FIP event and to assist in general advisory and administrative matters. The Chief Executive Officer of the committee is Joag, whose administrative and leadership skills have been well manifested.

Tell us about the scientific programmes planned and how many speakers will be there for this event?

Wide ranges of scientific presentations have been planned for the conference. They would include expert speakers from India and overseas in approximately seven parallel sessions. Topics to be presented in the conference include pharmacovigilance and medicines information to enhance patient safety, quality and safety in pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, clinical research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paradigm shifts in drug discovery and development and WHO guidelines on multisource drugs and interchangeability. Expert speakers like Douglas Keene (MSH, US), Jamie Sinclair (HealthEast Care Systems, US), Sabine Kopp (WHO) and Tom Sam (MSD, The Netherlands), will be sharing their experience and expertise on various topics of interest to the pharmaceutical community. Long breaks have been provided during the working day to enhance networking and active social participation.

Could you please share a glimpse of last year's highlights at FIP?

We were fortunate that a group of us from the India host committee were able to attend last year's FIP at Lisbon, Portugal. It was a huge international gathering. Interestingly, the largest group, after Portugal, was from China. The FIP President, Prof Kamal Midha gave an impressive presidential address. Also, Dr Vinod Shah as the Scientific Secretary played a key role. The FIP is going to greatly miss these two stalwarts. Having done so much for the profession and for science, the pharma community in India should recognise them appropriately, as should the Government of India. I am sure this will happen.

Tell us how long you have been associated with The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and how has the FIP and the Congress evolved the past 10 years?

As a member of the expert committee of the FIP Bureau of Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS), and as a friend and advisor, I have been associated with the FIP for many years. I do hope more members from India and officers from the Ministry of Health become vigorous in the activities and governance of the FIP. India needs to have more recognition and play a wider role in this World Federation. At a recent FIP Congress, India's Prof H L Bhalla, Advisor, SciTech Centre, was conferred with a 'Lifeime Achievement Award'. He is the first Indian to be felicitated with such high honours. The FIP will organise its 100th year 2012 conference in Amsterdam. It has had an eventful and successful evolution. The FIP has grown to represent 130 member organisations worldwide with a total membership crossing two million professionals. Details have been described on the web site: www.fip.org.

What do you hope is/could be your greatest/ most lasting contribution to the world of pharmacists?

The world and work of pharmacists and pharma scientists is absolutely fascinating to me. It's a noble science. My contributions to pharmacists and the pharma industry as a form of extended social commitment. It's not an issue of it being greater or most lasting.

Overall, what are your expectations from the 71st FIP?

As I said before, this event will greatly enhance the image of pharmacists in India, and of the Indian pharma sector overseas. The 71st FIP is likely to be historic. Industry leaders, drugstore owners, pharma academia, the Indian FDA and Government officials will gain immensely by supporting this event. They will get access to cutting-edge pharma science and technology, conclude scientific partnerships and get easy access to global pharma markets.

u.sharma@expressindia.com