At the 10th edition of the International Exhibition For Pharma And Healthcare Exhibition (iPHEX 2024), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI),  announced a significant achievement for India's pharmaceutical sector, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has become a member of the prestigious Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG).

This membership is a major milestone that underscores India's commitment to enhancing global pharmaceutical standards, regulatory compliance, and the international reputation of its pharmaceutical products.

Speaking at the event, Dr Raghuvanshi highlighted the importance of this development stating, "The inclusion of the Indian Pharmacopoeia in the PDG is a testament to India's dedication to quality and innovation in pharmaceuticals. By joining this elite group, which includes the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), the European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), India is now at the forefront of global pharmaceutical standard-setting and compliance."

New measures for quality and traceability in pharmaceuticals

Dr Raghuvanshi unveiled new measures to ensure the quality and traceability of pharmaceutical products. "To strengthen our fight against counterfeit drugs and ensure the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain, we have mandated the use of QR codes on all Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). This will allow for better traceability and transparency across the supply chain," he explained. "Furthermore, we have also made QR codes mandatory for the top 300 brands of medicines to enhance consumer safety and product authenticity."

Dr Raghuvanshi noted that India's efforts in quality assurance are gaining international recognition, with orders for reference materials now coming from 22 countries. "This global demand for our reference materials reflects the trust in the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to quality and excellence," he added.

A platform for global collaboration and innovation

iPHEX 2024, held from 28th to 30th August in Greater Noida, serves as a critical platform for fostering innovation, collaboration, and regulatory advancement in the pharmaceutical sector. The event featured a series of technical sessions that addressed key issues such as regulatory compliance, supply chain resilience, and antimicrobial resistance.

One of the highlighted sessions, “cGMP - Regulatory Expectations & Compliance for Sustaining the Future,” featured prominent speakers like S V Veeramani, Managing Director of Fourrts India Laboratories, who discussed the future of manufacturing standards and compliance strategies. Another notable session, “Biopharma 2024 and Beyond: Identifying the Next Big Opportunities,” explored emerging trends and potential growth areas in the biopharmaceutical sector.

The event also hosted a session on “Antimicrobial Resistance,” underscoring the urgent need for global cooperation to address this growing health threat. The final session, “Revolutionising Manufacturing Quality & Supply Chains through Technological Interventions,” focused on leveraging technology to enhance manufacturing processes and ensure a robust supply chain.

Raja Bhanu, Director General of Pharmexcil said, "Our technical sessions have been instrumental in bringing together industry leaders and experts to discuss critical issues such as regulatory compliance and supply chain resilience. These conversations are vital for shaping the future of the global pharmaceutical industry."

At the event, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) reported a low failure rate of 2  per cent to 3  per cent in recent cough syrup testing, attributing this success to stringent mapping and monitoring of the supply chain. Dr Raghuvanshi clarified that these failures were not related to Propylene glycol, a common solvent used in pharmaceuticals, thus reinforcing the safety and quality standards in place.

Recognising excellence and fostering future growth

The keynote address by Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, underscored India's leadership in pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing. Prasada also presented the Outstanding Export Performance Awards to industry leaders for their significant contributions to the global pharmaceutical market.

Namit Joshi, Chairman of iPHEX 2024 and Vice Chairman of Pharmexcil spoke about the importance of international collaboration and the impact of Indian pharmaceutical innovations. S V Veeramani, Chairman of Pharmexcil, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for high industry standards and global cooperation.

Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Joint Secretary EP-PHARMA, provided insights into government initiatives aimed at bolstering the pharmaceutical sector. Lena Nanunshyan, Deputy Health Minister of Armenia, highlighted the importance of global partnerships in improving healthcare access and outcomes.

The event also featured two significant panel discussions,  “cGMP - Regulatory Expectations & Compliance for Sustaining the Industry” and “CEO Roundtable on Building Bridges for Access to Medical Products”. 

Bhagwati Prasad