PRIP Scheme to Foster Affordable Healthcare Innovation in India
The Government of India's Department of Pharmaceuticals organized an industry forum in Mumbai to popularize the 'Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector' (PRIP) Scheme. The event was attended by industry associations, leaders, and research institutions, such as the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs). The conversation centered on enhancing industry-academia relationships, promoting cooperation, and collaborating with government efforts in order to drive research, development, and commercialization of new healthcare solutions.
The PRIP Scheme seeks to promote affordable, cost-effective healthcare innovations, making India a world leader in pharmaceuticals and medical technology. The event also brought to the fore complementary initiatives such as ICMR's PATENT MITRA, MEDTECH MITRA, and INTENT programs, which provide assistance for patent filing, clinical trials, and innovation paths. CSIR's Innovation Complex in Mumbai was also presented as a translational research hub, bridging institutions with industry players to scale up innovative solutions.
Dr. Sharvil Patel, IPA Vice President, stressed industry-led innovation, regulatory encouragement, and greater investment in new-age technologies. He appreciated the pro-active initiative by the government to introduce the PRIP Scheme as a growth trigger.
Mr. Anil Matai, Director General of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), emphasized the significance of a supportive policy environment in supporting research and development. Mr. Bharat Shah, National President of the Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), on the other hand, emphasized both the opportunity and challenge for MSMEs to embrace research-based growth strategies, welcoming the PRIP Scheme as an impetus for the smaller ones.
Mr. Veeraal Gandhi, Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers India (ADMI) Vice President, emphasized the potential for India to lead the world in point-of-care diagnostic technologies. He added that diagnostics advancements had the potential to greatly improve India's readiness to face future healthcare challenges.
Shri Amit Agrawal, Department of Pharmaceuticals Secretary, emphasized the pivotal position of future products and affordable healthcare solutions in entrenching India's worldwide leadership in the industry. He noted India's biggest strength, with the vast population and diverse gene pool, in creating personalized and precision medicines. Agrawal emphasized that market-based data-driven economies would be the change drivers for Pharma-MedTech R&D, and the PRIP Scheme is strategically positioned to drive forward tomorrow's healthcare challenges.
Breakout sessions allowed for in-depth deliberations, with representatives from the industry presenting feedback on research avenues, upcoming R&D trends, and measures to further industry-academia collaboration. The major recommendations involved the streamlining of regulatory routes, optimization of funding prospects, and amplification of innovative research programs to accelerate sectoral growth.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals called for stakeholders to submit project proposals and comments via the Expression of Interest (EoI) on its website, up to April 7, 2025. The exercise seeks to fine-tune the implementation strategy of the PRIP Scheme to meet industry requirements and drive sectoral growth.
The event ended on a high, with the participants reiterating their intent to create a collaborative, innovation-based ecosystem. The conversation highlighted the shared commitment to place India at the vanguard of healthcare innovation globally, with the PRIP Scheme as a key driver for game-changing solutions.
With government and industry hand-in-hand, the future of India's Pharma-MedTech industry appears bright, with the potential to provide innovative, affordable healthcare solutions for both local and international markets.
