European countries are the dominant consumers of drugs however, it will slowdown in future giving way to developing countries like India, China, Russia and Brazil that are estimated to grow at 10-15 percent and would be the major drivers of global pharmaceutical industry. Can India and China grasp these opportunities with strategic plans to drive development of pharmaceutical industries of both countries?

The Health Industry Summit organized in Shanghai from April 17-20 conducted an open dialogue between delegates from India and China to discuss and share if the two countries can collaborate further to dominate the future pharma industry.

In next five years, important drugs are on the edge of expiry. By 2015-2020 drugs worth of USD250 billion is estimated to expire and the market share will be taken by generic drugs. In next two decades, India and China will be the pillar of development for pharma industry. India has a unique advantage of language to better understand the regulatory of global companies. India and China can also have broader cooperation in production and clinical trial data, highlighted Mr Guangcheng Pan, executive chairman, China Pharmaceutical Industry Association (CPAI).

"We should learn from India to speed up development of talent pool, registration and certification process. The way India has grown phenomenally in generics business is very impressive. China should also grasp such opportunities, nurture China local talent and scientific knowledge and strengthen drug production for exports," Mr Pan said.

"We should support China companies to produce generics drugs and be prime exporter to US and Europe. We need to improve the quality and efficacy of our drugs to international standard and need to implement hassle free policies and regulation procedures. In 13th five-year plan, China is aiming to achieve growth rate of 13-15 percent in generics business," he further said.

Mr Pan commented that both India and China are developing countries. Pharma manufacturing incurs huge cost and a collaboration between India and China on manufacturing would save cost to both the countries.

Mr Song Min Xian, former registration director, Sichuan FDA, remarked that although China and India have memorandum of understanding on exchange between regulators, however, there is a lack of communication between regulators of two countries.

China has over 5,700 chemical companies and 4000 chemical products. China imports 1400 products of which 940 are formulation products.

Sharing his views on the current state of India-China partnership, Mr J. Jayaseelan, Chairman, Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) said that, "India and China need to build an environment of partnership that enables the two countries to grow in future. Collaboration is possible only when we have the intention to grow together and not competing but complementing. We recognize China as a great neighbour and civilization and there are many aspects in common where India and China can work together. Although we have signed MoU for many years now but there has been no real benefit for the manufacturers or the drug companies. India has a great R&D base, manpower base and there are agencies than can help in building the strengths of two countries together."

The delegates agreed that partnership between IDMA and CPAI should grow more for broader market penetration.