The Government Analyst-Food & Drug Director, Mr.Marlan Cole along with Director of Pharmacy, Mr. Oneil Atkins attended the Fourth International Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Industry under the theme ‘Enabling Quality Affordable Healthcare’ from 18-19 February,2019 in Bengalururu, India.
The two-day meeting was held with representatives of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Board.Participants from some 30 countries including Russia, Kenya, the United Kingdom [UK], Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, along with drug regulators from 15 Indian states attended the conference which was organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and the Government of India in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry [FICCI].
Some of the issues discussed included development of separate medical devices and over-the-counter [OTC] drug regulations; early decision on implementation of trade margin rationalization and addressing the issue of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients [APIs] price escalation imported from China; incentivising innovations in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector, and greater transparency in the functioning of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority [NPPA].During the annual conference, Cole challenged the representatives to “do all in their power” to encourage manufacturers in India desiring a stake in the global drug market to ensure their products can withstand international scrutiny of reputable medicines reference authorities. ‘
“Only safe and effective medicines will be made available to Guyanese citizens.”This was the assertion of the two key representatives to potential suppliers of pharmaceuticals to the local market.
The potential suppliers are from India and the move to embrace this level of collaboration is a direct result of Guyana and India’s mutual cooperation in health to ensure only pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines deemed safe by Guyanese authorities will be sold here. This was the focus of a discussion between key representatives of the two countries recently.
