Union Budget 2018: The ‘WOW’ Moment for Indian Healthcare?

The 2018-19 Union Budget proposals, presented before the Parliament on February 01, 2018. Especially for those who take keen interest in the Indian healthcare environment, was there a ‘WOW’ moment in the budget? Some say, this long-awaited moment came with … Continue reading

Health Care in India And ‘Development For All’ Intent

‘Development for All’ has become a buzzword, especially in the political arena of India, and is being used frequently during all recent elections as no one can deny its crucial importance in a country like ours. Nonetheless, some do feel … Continue reading

A Tipping Point For Robust Healthcare System In India

“Given the popular uptake of universal health coverage reforms elsewhere in Asia, the Feb 4 elections may be a tipping point for health in India. For example, in 2012, Joko Widodo was elected Governor of Jakarta. He launched popular UHC … Continue reading

Healthcare in India And Hierarchy of Needs

“Russia and India climb World Bank’s Doing Business rankings”, was a headline in the Financial Times on October 31, 2017. India jumped 30 places – from 130 out of 190. Almost instantly, the domestic media flashed it all across the … Continue reading

Marketing Practices: Why Pharma Does What It Does?

It started way back – spanning across many developed countries of the world. However, probably for the first time in the last five years, an international media group focused on this issue thriving in India, with so much detail. Reuters … Continue reading

Draft Pharma Policy 2017 Ticks The Right Boxes: A Challenge Still Remains

Pharma policy is not a panacea to address all related issues, neither for the patients nor the industry, in general. As I see it, it’s no more than a critical cog in the wheel of the overall macro and the … Continue reading

Draft Pharma Policy 2017 And Branded Generics

In its first reading, the 18-page draft Pharma Policy, 2017 gives me a sense that the Government has followed the much-desired principle of ‘walk the talk’, especially in some key areas. One such space is what Prime Minister Modi distinctly … Continue reading

Making ‘National Policy For Rare Diseases’ More Meaningful With ‘Orphan Drugs Act’

In November 2016, while hearing a related case, the Delhi High Court reportedly directed the Union Government to finalize and implement a policy on rare diseases, with a provision for free treatment with the expensive medications, as will be required by … Continue reading