Pharma Branding At Tough Times

“About two-thirds of drug launches don’t meet expectations. Improving that record requires pharmaceutical companies to recognize the world has changed and adjust their marketing accordingly.” This appeared in an article – “The secret of successful drug launches,” published by McKinsey & Company in … Continue reading

Uniting Pharma With Business Ethics: A Bridge Too Far?

Operating ethically not only is the right thing to do but also is fundamental to success in business. Poor governance and poor ethical business practices can lead to fines, public scrutiny and distrust – overshadowing good performance, destroying reputation, and … Continue reading

Patients’ Trust And Pharma Remain Strange Bedfellows?

Like many other industries, pharmaceutical companies too often talk about improving focus on effective ‘stakeholder-relationship management’. The doctors obviously form an integral part of this process. There is nothing wrong with it. Nevertheless, serious concern of ‘conflict of interest’ between … 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

Is The Department of Pharmaceuticals On The Same Page As The Prime Minister?

“The open secret is that pharmaceutical companies throw all manners of inducements on doctors to prescribe their medicines. The victim of their misdemeanors is the unsuspecting patient. Mr. Modi clearly wants to break this self-serving chain” – highlighted a media … Continue reading

Prescriptions in Generic Names Be Made A Must in India?

Would prescriptions in generic names be made a must in India? Yes, that’s what Prime Minister Modi distinctly hinted at on April 17, 2017, during the inauguration function of a charitable hospital in Surat. To facilitate this process, his government … Continue reading

‘Indian Drug Control World’s Weakest: Pharma Trade Bodies Working At Cross Purposes’

“In the entire world, I think our drug control system probably is the weakest today. It needs to be strengthened,” said the Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) – V K Subburaj at an event in New-Delhi on April … Continue reading

Worsening Health Effect Of Climate Change In India: A Perspective

At present, out of the top five most pressing global and local environmental challenges, ‘Climate Change’ features at the top. It has been broadly defined as, “a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from … Continue reading