The Indian Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and the Minister of Health & Family Welfare have introduced the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme. PRIP aims to shift the Indian pharmaceutical sector towards innovation-driven growth by enhancing research infrastructure. Its objectives include fostering industry-academia collaborations in priority research areas and cultivating a culture of high-quality research. This initiative, spanning five years (2023-24 to 2027-28), comprises two components: Component A, focused on establishing 7 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs), with an investment of Rs 700 Crores, and Component B, which supports research in pharmaceutical sectors with a budget of Rs. 4250 Crores.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Centers of Excellence (CoEs): These are specialized research centers or institutions that excel in a particular field, in this case, pharmaceutical education and research.
- New Chemical Entities: These are novel chemical compounds with potential therapeutic properties, often used as the basis for developing new drugs.
- Complex Generics: These refer to generic drugs that are more complex to develop and replicate due to factors like formulation, delivery mechanisms, or active ingredients.
- Biosimilars: These are biologic medical products highly similar to existing approved biologics, offering cost-effective alternatives.
- Anti-Microbial Resistance: This term denotes the ability of microorganisms to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs, posing a significant global health threat. Efforts to combat this involve developing new antibiotics and treatment strategies.