The face of the Indian healthcare industry is not an attractive one in the international scope at the moment. The lack of manufacturing standards in producing various medicines for both domestic and international markets is the ultimate reason. Hundreds of deaths linked to some Indian medicines outside the country push the government to take care of the situation. This matter is getting the highest level of priority in the healthcare industry of India.
Lethal And Deadly Cough Syrups from India
Hundreds of overseas deaths are strongly associated with pharmaceutical products of cough syrups from India. It surfaced in 2022 which brings the attention of WHO to carefully address the issue thoroughly. The data from WHO claims that there are at least 141 deaths in Cameroon, Gambia, and Uzbekistan caused by cough syrups originating from India. It leads to a thorough review of Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.
This occurrence brings a new type of awareness in the vast majority of people especially when they are purchasing drugs. This kind of thing may not only be happening concerning Indian drugs. With the internationally circulated news about this matter, it could also affect the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry globally. It comes with the underlying importance of being highly selective when choosing a medicine, especially for acute conditions.
Other health authorities provide similar data and claims concerning Indian cough syrups. It pushes the Health Ministry of India to act immediately to restore the overall trust of overseas parties regarding Indian medicines. Therefore, the crucial solution is to publish a new set of manufacturing standards that follow international guidelines. The aim is to ensure that the upcoming medicines from India will not be dangerous anymore for anyone to consume.
Hundreds Of Pharmaceutical Companies to Follow New Standards
Concerning the current situation of the Indian healthcare industry, the health ministry admits that it is not in good shape. The official data from the ministry after completing a thorough inspection in December 2022 reveals shocking facts. There is an absence of new raw materials testing for the manufacturing of drugs in India. That undoubtedly contributes to the deadly cough syrups from Indian pharmaceutical companies which can be found in some other countries.
Furthermore, the inspection report also shows that about a quarter of the staggering 8,500 small pharmaceutical companies in India failed to comply with the international manufacturing standards for drugs. It combines with the lack of material testing in the manufacturing process to produce medicines with uncertain quality. Those things are to be erased soon with the new manufacturing standards for Indian drug companies. The effect should take place immediately for the better of the industry.
The health ministry further elaborates that any drug company needs to produce any form of medicine after satisfactory results in testing. The company also needs to follow the required steps according to international standards, especially for exported products. There is no reason to put patients at risk by giving those drugs without a clear level of quality and safety. The new manufacturing standards are the only solution to refresh the overall quality of the Indian healthcare industry today.
The order comes straight from the Prime Minister of India to clear up the image of the industry. The effect of this particular thing affects the approximately $50 billion industry of healthcare and pharmaceuticals in India. Without quick intervention from the government, the industry could collapse because there are tons of drug companies in India at the moment. Thus, it is a crucial step for the government to issue a new set of drug manufacturing standards.
Following the new standards, the government sets the deadline to be within 6 months for large companies and 12 months for small companies. Small companies ask for an extended deadline concerning their budgetary situation to comply with the new standards. Most of them even require new investments to alter their manufacturing process according to the new standards. Some of them were even at risk of a shutdown since they were already in a huge debt even before this happened.
Either way, it is a necessary step to take for the better of the general healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in India. The government may need to provide further aid concerning small companies with shutdown risks if they have to follow the new standards immediately. Joining forces between several companies could be a solution whenever possible. Regardless of that, the face of the Indian healthcare industry could be getting better real soon with the new standards in circulation.
