Union Health Minister JP Nadda today inaugurated the 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) in India, marking the first time the prestigious event is being hosted in the country. Organized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the five-day event from October 14-18 brings together regulatory bodies, policymakers, and healthcare professionals from 194 WHO member states to foster international collaboration on drug regulation.
India’s Role in Global Healthcare Leadership
In his address, Nadda highlighted India’s pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the country not only emerged as a global leader in health innovation and resilience but also reinforced its position as the “Pharmacy of the World.” He emphasized India’s ability to scale vaccine production, ensuring global supply while vaccinating over a billion people domestically. Nadda reiterated India’s commitment to affordable healthcare and global solidarity, citing the country’s supply of life-saving medicines to over 150 nations during the pandemic.
“India’s progress is linked to the world’s progress. Through the ICDRA platform, we aim to develop regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products worldwide,” Nadda said.
CDSCO’s Advances in Regulation and Digitalization
Nadda also showcased CDSCO’s achievements, particularly its 95% digitized processes, which have enhanced transparency and trust among stakeholders. The CDSCO has established drug testing labs and mini-labs at ports to expedite drug testing and release. Additionally, QR codes are now mandated on all active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the top 300 drug brands to secure the supply chain. Nadda noted that India’s pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing is aligned with WHO-GMP standards, ensuring compliance with global practices.
WHO Recognizes India’s Regulatory Leadership
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised India for hosting the conference and stressed the need for global collaboration in drug regulation to address issues such as antimicrobial resistance, post-pandemic health management, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare.
Dr. Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO Southeast Asia, further emphasized India’s significance in the pharmaceutical sector, noting that the country supplies over 50% of the world’s vaccines and houses the largest number of US FDA-approved plants outside the U.S.
Global Partnerships and Regulatory Challenges
Ms. Malebona Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of WHO’s Intergovernmental Negotiation Body, highlighted the importance of balancing regulation to maintain India’s reputation as the Pharmacy of the World. India’s Drugs Controller General, Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, discussed advancements in CAR T-cell therapy and how India is improving its regulatory systems to deliver “high execution with low regulation.”
Key Discussions and Sessions
The ICDRA 2024 will feature workshops and panels addressing global health priorities, including smart regulation, medical device trends, AI in healthcare, and post-COVID regulatory preparedness. A special exhibition will showcase India’s innovations in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
India’s Growing Influence in Global Healthcare
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, noted that India’s pharmaceutical industry is now the fourth-largest export sector, further strengthening its role in the global supply chain. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava added that India supplies 50% of the world’s vaccines, most of which go to organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI
As reported by ehealth.eletsonline, the conference aims to foster global partnerships to address regulatory challenges, harmonize regulations, and promote traditional medicines. ICDRA 2024 solidifies India’s growing influence in global healthcare governance and highlights its commitment to creating a safer, healthier, and more resilient world.