| | MARCH 20179Consultants ReviewWith the new relaxations, the pharmaceutical companies are expected to re-consider India as a preferred destination in 2017PPP programs to be launched in different parts of India and many more pharmaceutical companies are expected to come forward to partner such initiatives. Till then we can just keep a close watch.India to Re-emerge as Clinical Trial DestinationMid last year, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has relaxed laws to allow clinical researchers to perform as many trials as approved by the ethics committee, instead of the earlier restriction of three trials. Further the restrictions on number of minimum beds (from earlier 50 beds) at the clinical trial site have also been amended. The pharmaceutical companies which are interested to conduct trials in India, are further expected to apply for `no objection certificate' from the DCGI in case of addition or deletion of new clinical trial site or investigator.Anti-depressant Drug Market to Boom 2016 witnessed 10.6 lakh more prescriptions of anti-depressants (than 2015), as per report published by Economic Times. While 3.35 Crore new patients were registered in 2015, the number increased to 3.46 Crore in 2016 (14 percent increase). This is alarming for the population, while on the contrary, an added attraction for drug companies planning to enter the anti-depressant market in India. New Launches, Approvals and Race to ThriveIndia's third largest drug maker Lupin Limited is expected to file its first biosimilar Etanercept for approval in Japan, world's second largest drug market, in 2017.Piramal group is also expected to demerge it's pharmaceutical and financial services. With UK acquisition in pipeline (specialty products acquisition from UK based Mallinkrodt), Piramal Critical Care shall strengthen further in coming days. The groups is working on its new strategy to look at all complex and difficult to manufacture products which are not mere generics and is expected to focus on segments such as anesthesia and/or injectable, besides expanding their over the counter drugs portfolio, in 2017.33 Essential Drugs Prices Slashed in 2017National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has announced a cap on 33 essential medicines in January 2017. These drugs include anti-allergic medicines used for common cold and cough, antibiotics and drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis, arthritis, psoriasis, gastro-esophageal reflux and tuberculosis. 11 New drugs have been introduced to the already existing list of 684. The new list that was released in December 2016 has a list of 875 essential medicines. With the new initiative, the government is trying to make the treatment affordable for critical diseases and in a way bring down the cost of healthcare expenditure further. Whether this impacts the common man's pocket or not? Economists need to wait and watch.Overall, 2017 shall remain a mix bag of new initiatives both from government and private sectors with no threat from Trump administration. US market shall remain the major focus areas for Indian manufacturers with some generic manufacturers diverting their focus to Japan.
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