New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Reaffirming India's pivotal role in the global pharmaceutical industry, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel on Monday pointed out that 70 percent of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) total vaccines are sourced from India.

She also highlighted that 14 percent of generics imported by the United States come from India, further showcasing India's dominance in the pharmaceutical sector.

The Forum, organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Union Health Ministry, brings together an international delegation of policymakers, drug regulators, and experts from 24 countries including Liberia, Togo, Mali, and Papua New Guinea, among others.

Patel also praised India’s flagship initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which aims to provide affordable medicines to all citizens. She further noted that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are integral to this program, serve as "shining examples of India’s commitment to making quality medicines accessible to all."

"These centres have proven to be vital in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for millions of Indians," Patel added, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in improving public health.

“As much as 70% of WHO’s vaccines come from India…India is the world's top producer of generics, with 14% of the generics imported by the US sourced from India. We also have the highest number of US FDA-recognized drug manufacturing plants,” she said.

Furthermore, Patel highlighted India's robust regulatory framework, noting that the country retains the WHO’s Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status. This, she explained, reflects India’s commitment to maintaining high standards in drug regulation. The Indian Pharmacopoeia, she added, is now recognised by 15 countries worldwide, with Cuba being the most recent to adopt it as a standard for drug quality.

Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, also addressed the forum, pointing out that over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (previously known as Health and Wellness Centres) have been established across India, where free drugs and diagnostics are provided to the public.

She also discussed the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), a health assurance scheme that offers up to ₹5 lakh coverage per family, benefiting 40% of India’s population. The scheme has helped reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure from 70% in 2004 to just 40% today. UNI AJ SSP