Kalam calls for cost effective drugs
Posted AtNewstodaynet.com
President A P J Abdul Kalam
called on the pharmaceuticals industry to develop cost
effective drugs which are affordable to masses at large.
'Drugs manufactured in India are cheaper when compared
to world market but still it remain unaffordable for
our country men,' he said at a visit to the Formulation
Complex of Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited
here, yesterday. Complimenting the scientists of the
company for developing anti-diabetes molecule, he asked
them to work hard to convert the molecule into a successful
drug. But, he said, most of the companies went on to
market the molecule, rather than developing it into
a commercial drug. 'I am looking forward to a India
developed, produced and marketed drug,' the President
said.
Kalam called for convergence of information technology,
biotechnology and nano technology to evolve new formulations
for discovery of drugs. 'To eradicate liver ailments,
controlling cardio vascular diseases and diabetes, and
preventing AIDs, we need a 'creative leadership' where
the leader should change his role from commanding officer
to that of a coach,' he said.
K Raghavendra Rao, managing director of the company
said, 'The eleven-year-old Orchid is a globally recognised,
integrated pharmaceutical company with core competencies
in the development and manufacture of active pharma
ingredients and finished dosage forms as well as in
drug discovery.'
He said from the very inception, the company has been
investing aggressively for establishing modern research
and manufacturing facilities aimed at global markets,
thus emerging as a world-class pharmaceutical company
covering the entire value chain from 'discovery to delivery'.
Orchid at its R & D centres, and along with its US subsidiary,
is actively involved in the discovery of new drugs.
The company's anti-diabetes molecule which has advanced
into human clinical is unique for its efficacy and safety,
Rao said.
Till date 22 Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs)
have been filed from this formulation complex at Sriperumbadur,
of which seven have been approved by US FDA. For the
fiscal year 2005, the company has achieved a turnover
of Rs 690 crore. Orchid is investing six per cent of
its turnover in R&D.
December 02, 2005 |
