Addressing PharmInnova Awards in Ahmedabad, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlights policy measures driving India’s pharma-medtech self-reliance.
Distilled Policy Brief
- Union Home Minister highlighted key policy measures empowering India's pharmaceutical and medtech sectors, including the PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector) scheme, PLI schemes, and the development of Bulk Drug and Medical Device Parks.
- The pharmaceutical PLI and Bulk Drug Park schemes have mobilized over ₹42,700 crore in investments and supported drug exports exceeding ₹3,64,000 crore, aiming for self-reliance in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and advanced medical equipment like MRI machines by 2028.
- India's health sector strategy combines preventive infrastructure (sanitation, piped drinking water), financial protection under Ayushman Bharat for over 70 crore citizens, and domestic high-tech manufacturing.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The PRIP Scheme and Bulk Drug Parks policy target domestic manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs) to reduce import dependencies in the pharma-medtech sector.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze how initiatives like PLI schemes, Bulk Drug Parks, and R&D support under the PRIP scheme can help transition India from being the 'Pharmacy of the World' focused on generic drugs to an innovation-led global hub for medtech and high-value pharmaceuticals.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to recent policy initiatives for India's pharmaceutical, MedTech, and healthcare sectors, consider the following statements: 1. The PRIP scheme is designed to promote research and innovation specifically within the pharma-medtech sector. 2. The government targets self-reliance in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and advanced medical equipment like MRI machines by 2028. 3. Ayushman Bharat forms a component of the national healthcare strategy, providing financial protection to over 70 crore citizens. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. The PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector) scheme targets enhanced R&D; PLI and park schemes aim for API and medical device self-reliance (including MRI machines) by 2028; and Ayushman Bharat offers health protection coverage to over 70 crore citizens.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.