India Leads Global Vaccine Production: Health Secretary

Srivastava said that India has solidified its position as the third-largest producer of pharmaceuticals and a major supplier of generic medicines globally.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava underscored India’s pivotal role in global healthcare, stating that half of the eight billion vaccine doses manufactured worldwide over the last year were produced in India.

Speaking at a recent event, she emphasized India’s emergence as a global leader in pharmaceuticals and vaccine production.

According to Srivastava, India has solidified its position as the third-largest producer of pharmaceuticals and a major supplier of generic medicines globally.

This success has contributed significantly to healthcare systems worldwide, including the United States.

"The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a major contributor to global healthcare, demonstrated by the fact that India has the highest number of US FDA-approved pharmaceutical plants outside of the United States, accounting for 25% of the total number of FDA-approved plants outside the US,” she said.

Srivastava highlighted the significant savings the US healthcare system has reaped from Indian medicines.

“In 2022 alone, Indian pharmaceutical companies contributed $219 billion in savings to the US healthcare system. Between 2013 and 2022, this figure reached an astounding $1.3 trillion," she added.

India’s Dominance in Vaccine Production

India’s leadership in vaccine production was a key focus of Srivastava’s address. She revealed that India produces 50% of all vaccines manufactured globally.

In the past year alone, out of the eight billion vaccine doses produced and distributed worldwide, four billion were made in India. This cements India’s status as the “pharmacy of the world,” providing critical support in global health initiatives.

"India has been at the forefront of vaccine production, playing a crucial role in ensuring global vaccine availability, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she noted.

In her address, Srivastava also touched on the reforms undertaken in India’s medical education system.

The introduction of the National Medical Commission Act and other related laws has replaced outdated regulatory frameworks, leading to a significant increase in medical and nursing colleges across the country.

"This expansion has not only improved access to healthcare education but also addressed the disparities in the availability of healthcare professionals across India,” she said.

The reforms are helping to produce a skilled health workforce capable of meeting both national and global needs.

The health secretary pointed out that India’s healthcare services have seen significant improvements in terms of quality, scale, and cost-effectiveness.

"One of the most notable achievements is the reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for households. Between 2013-2014 and 2021-2022, OOPE as a share of total health expenditure declined by 25 percentage points,” she noted.

This decline reflects the success of government efforts to expand healthcare services and make them more affordable for the population.

Strengthening the Indo-US Health Partnership

Srivastava highlighted the strong partnership between India and the US in the healthcare sector.

"Our mutual priorities in areas such as surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and antimicrobial resistance are reflected in the deep collaboration between India’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” she said.

She praised the joint efforts in field epidemiology training programs (FETP) organized in collaboration with the US CDC.

"Over 200 Epidemic Intelligence Services (EIS) officers have been trained so far, with an additional 50 currently undergoing training through various programs,” she said.

Collaborative Efforts in Cancer Research & Treatment

Srivastava also highlighted the growing collaboration between India and the US in cancer research. In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden launched the US-India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue, which aims to accelerate the fight against cancer.

"This initiative focuses on enhancing US-India biomedical research cooperation, particularly in cervical cancer, and involves partnerships with prestigious institutions such as AIIMS and Tata Memorial Hospital,” she stated.

The collaboration has since expanded into the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative, reflecting a broader regional approach to cancer treatment and research.

Vision of ‘One World, One Health’

Reflecting on India’s global health contributions, Srivastava emphasized the country’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

"India has dedicated a grant of $7.5 million for cancer testing and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, India will support radiotherapy and cancer prevention efforts and contribute 40 million vaccine doses under the GAVI and Quad programs to countries in need,” she said.

These initiatives align with India’s vision of ‘One World, One Health,’ promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing global health challenges.

In closing, Srivastava reiterated the strength of the Indo-US partnership in the healthcare sector. "The collaboration between our nations exemplifies the importance of addressing shared health challenges through joint efforts,” she said.

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