12 October 2018 | News
In collaboration with CubeX and the Nicholas Hall Group of Companies, this Study calls for a well-regulated OTC framework.
On behalf of the pharmaceutical industry in India, the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), along with a few members from the domestic pharmaceutical industry and consumer industry, released a study titled Shaping India’s OTC Policy 2018 at the Annual CubeX-Nicholas Hall OTC Conference, held in Mumbai, recently. In collaboration with CubeX and the Nicholas Hall Group of Companies, this Study calls for a well-regulated OTC framework that not only helps improve access to medicines but also supports responsible self-medication to achieve multiple health and economic objectives.
While proposing the policy for India, the study- Shaping India’s OTC policy 2018- considers the best practices that have been adopted by the most evolved OTC markets of US and UK, the most dynamic OTC market of China, the well-defined OTC market of Australia and the evolving OTC markets of Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico.
Commenting on the release of the Study, A. Vaidheesh, President-OPPI and Managing Director-India & Vice President- South Asia, Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd said, “Access to medicines in India has long ignored the critical role of the viability of OTC medicines in the remotest areas. A well-regulated OTC guideline will expand access for patients. Shaping India’s OTC Policy 2018 is an illustration of the collaborative effort of the entire pharmaceutical industry in empowering patients to make responsible and wise choices and self-manage their health outcomes.”
“OTC medicines save health systems valuable resources and can save consumers time and money. However, consumers need to be educated on the practice of healthy living habits and self-care. OTC medicines have played a significant role in expanding access to safe and effective treatments in developing regions of the world,” said G. Sathya Narayanan, Chairman-OPPI OTC Taskforce and Managing Director, South Asia, Nestle Skin Health India Pvt Ltd.
Some key recommendations of the Study include:
Kanchana TK, Director General, OPPI added, “OPPI keeps the patient at the core of all our activities. A well-regulated OTC guideline promotes a favourable ecosystem that educates patients on responsible self-medication, empowering them to manage their health by themselves.”