Statement by India
on Agenda Item 13.3: Addressing the global shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines at the 70th World Health Assembly, delivered by Shri C K Mishra, Health Secretary on 27 May 2017
Thank you Madam Chair,
India alligns itself with the views put forward by Bangladesh on behalf of South East Asia Region. I now take the opportunitty to make the national statement on behalf of India.
Any situation of global shortage of medicines and vaccines is unfortunate.
India continues to play a pivotal role in providing access to quality medicines worldwide at affordable prices. India exports over 55% of its pharmaceutical produce to most countries of the world.
India is also a major vaccine producer with 21 large vaccine manufacturing facilities. These vaccines are supplied to nearly 150 countries and to many agencies including UNICEF, WHO and PAHO.
The quality of generic medicines and vaccines manufactured in India meets the most stringent requirements put forth by importing countries and agencies. These requirements continue to become more stringent with each passing year. We are happy that India manufacturers are able to meet the challenge both on quality and affordability.
Indian Government has initiated a series of measures to improve the quality of medical products. These include investing US $275 million for strengthening drug regulatory structures in the country and amendment of domestic rules and laws.
Recently, India’s National Regulatory Authority’s competencies have been acknowledged through a comprehensive review with WHO Global Benchmarking Tool in February, 2017.
India commits itself to the highest standards of quality.
The United Nations Secretary-General High-Level Panel’s Report on access to medicines inter alia highlights the incoherencies in policies of different international agencies that contribute to shortages. Utilizing TRIPS flexibilities and sharing fruits of R&D, especially public funded, could coupled with a few other measures, help address most shortages. It makes economic sense to strengthen mutual cooperation, build trust and undertake cost-benefit analysis of policies that work on cross purposes. We cannot permit the advantage that could be ours being frittered away by going solo.
The report is timely and makes a compelling case for better coordination between multiple UN and other international bodies and countries. These recommendations need to be pursued to a logical conclusion under the aegis of WHO and an Agenda Item on Access to Medicines should be included for deliberations in the 142nd Executive Board in January 2018.
To conclude, we must remember that only together we can eliminate shortage and enhance access to medicines.
Thank you Madam Chair.
