India’s pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as the “pharmacy of the world”, is witnessing a slowdown in voluntary licensing and technology transfer – according to Access to Medicines in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) by 2024. Procedures necessary for improvement. Medicine Index. Published biennially by the non-profit Access to Medicine Foundation, the report is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Dutch ministry.

India has long been a major supplier of affordable generics, which underpin the global healthcare system. However, the decline in licensing agreements for patented medicines has raised concerns about the delivery of health care in countries dependent on these arrangements. The index, which examines 20 major pharmaceutical companies, highlights a decline in non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements important for generic production of essential medicines.

Voluntary licensing allows pharmaceutical companies to allow other manufacturers to produce patented drugs at lower prices, but the report highlights a decline in such agreements, which could potentially limit access to affordable drugs in poor countries. Limits. Similarly, technology transfer, which includes the sharing of knowledge required for local production of medicines, is largely concentrated in rich countries, leaving regions such as sub-Saharan Africa with acute shortages of medicines.

Despite these challenges, India remains integral to global manufacturing efforts. Five of the 20 pharmaceutical companies have set up production facilities in the country, reducing costs and strengthening supply chains. Additionally, India has participated in 11 47 global technology transfer projects, including end-to-end manufacturing capabilities.

Collaborations between Indian and global pharmaceutical firms highlight the potential to address critical healthcare needs. One such partnership is between Takeda and Biological E. Limited to develop the dengue vaccine QDENGA® (TAK-003), which aims to reduce India’s significant dengue burden.

The initiative aims to produce 50 million doses annually by 2030, addressing the disease burden of dengue in India, which is 59.5 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population. . Such partnerships demonstrate the important role of technology transfer in improving access to medicines and reducing supply chain risks.

Claudia Martinez, research director at the Access to Medicine Foundation, emphasized the need for more proactive measures. “There are some very clear opportunities for companies to increase access and promote health equity, but more deliberate action is needed,” Martinez said.

“Developing inclusive business models for low-income countries, engaging in voluntary licensing and technology transfer, and diversifying clinical trial locations have been shown to be effective mechanisms for improving access,” he added. That said, real progress will require companies to reevaluate their policies and meet access equity goals.