Cipla seeks favourable policy for domestic pharma cos

New Delhi: Homegrown drug major Cipla has urged the government to increase fund allocation for the healthcare sector, improve ease of doing business and formulate policies that aid the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Addressing shareholders in the company's Annual Report for 2018-19, Cipla Chairman Y K Hamied said basic healthcare in the country will always require urgent attention given its population and disease burden.

"India should formulate legislation on healthcare to suit the specific needs of the indigenous pharma industry as also the healthcare required in the country.

An increase in the Government's public healthcare expenditure is the need of the hour," the industry veteran said.

Echoing the sentiment, Cipla Executive Vice-Chairperson Samina Vaziralli said with the government returning for a second consecutive five-year term armed with a strong mandate, expectations are high.

"As a pharma company, we look forward to support in strengthening infrastructure and ease of doing business, developing a robust regulatory framework, increasing healthcare expenditure, and balancing of pricing controls with provision of accessible and affordable healthcare," she said.