RESPONSE BY MR. B. N. SINGH AT 45TH ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS - 5th January 2007

Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister of State, PMO, Shri Prithvirajji  Chavan, Guest of Honour Shri Amitabh Chandra, IAS, Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra, Shri Shailesh Gadre, MD, ORG IMS Research Pvt. Ltd., immediate past President Shri Suresh Kare, Vice-President (Western Region) Mr. Manish Doshi, Secretary-General Shri Daara Patel,  respected Guests, Past Presidents, captains of Industry and Fellow Members of IDMA, Distinguished winners of IDMA Awards, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I extend my warm Seasons Greetings & Best Wishes to one and all on this prestigious 45th Annual celebration of this very esteemed Association.  I am feeling elated to be a part of this august gathering.  Our President, Shri Suresh Kare who captained this Association for the last 2 years has already highlighted the achievements, progress made and reforms carried out in this knowledge based industry.  At this juncture I would humbly like to add to it my vision and endeavours while carrying forward our activities.

IDMA represents the National sector of the Pharma Industry and has nearly 650 members.  IDMA is the largest Pharma Association in India representing large, medium and small scale units manufacturing pharmaceutical dosage forms, active ingredients, intermediates, biological, vaccines and herbal drugs.  More than 70% of exports of pharmaceuticals from India are contributed by our members.  IDMA members are Indian owned and Indian managed entities, majority of them are entrepreneurial ventures.

Pharma Industry rightly known as the ‘Sun rise Industry’, is an important Industry contributing to the country’s economy and well being.  We at IDMA play an important role in shaping the Industry’s future in becoming  a global player.

IDMA regularly organizes Workshops/training programmes to impart training and knowledge on latest technologies, FDA regulations of various countries, etc. for the benefit of our members to meet the challenges of the coming years.  It will be my endeavour to give greater thrust to training.

Throughout the year 2006 our industry was in the news be it  ‘The Draft National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006’; introduction of ‘Draft Drugs  (Price Regulation and Control) Bill (Act 2006)’, ‘Printing name of medicines in Hindi alongwith English on the label’, ‘MRP inclusive of all Taxes’, ‘Patents Amendment Rules 2006’, ‘MSME Development Act 2006’ and so on.  Amidst all these turbulent and challenging times the Sun continued to shine on this industry thanks to the untiring efforts of those backing this Industry.

Indian Pharma Industry’s capability to manufacture even the latest drugs at very competitive  prices in the shortest possible time for both domestic and international market is an added feather in its cap.  Apart from this international generic medicine prices have also managed to remain comparatively low due to the supply of low priced APIs from India.  This enables Indian Pharma to continue its hold on the global market.  It will be our endeavour to help our members to build Brands, which are ultimately be recognized globally.

I thank all my members for reposing confidence in me.  My term as the President of IDMA starts today.  It would be my endeavour to work with the same zeal and passion and further strengthen this Association, thereby strengthening the Industry.  I will blend my energy, enthusiasm and past experience for achieving different milestones towards progress.  
I would like to work closely with all State Boards to ensure that they function and progress within the broad framework of IDMA.

With gratitude and humility towards one and all I request cooperation, support and guidance from all past Presidents, my fellow Office-bearers, Executive Committee Members, as well as President and Office-Bearers of other like minded Associations.