Accelerating Innovative and Accessible Healthcare with Technology Transformation:

US Industry partners with the Government.

New Delhi, 19 July 2024: The American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM), a leading apex chamber of U.S. industry in India successfully concluded the 2nd edition of its Healthcare Summit in New Delhi. Dr Vinod Paul, Member, Niti Ayog, Government of India, set the tone for the session with his inaugural address, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to healthcare transformation.

Dr. Paul emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration for effective community service, highlighting the Government’s focus on Comprehensive Primary Healthcare through 179,000 Health and Wellness Centers nationwide. He stressed pandemic preparedness with a goal of developing vaccines within 100 days of an outbreak and mentioned the Government’s work on a National Telemedicine Line to improve healthcare access. Innovation, he noted, can greatly advance diagnostic tests for chronic liver, kidney disease and diseases like Hemoglobin A1C, enhancing disease detection and management.

Themed “Accelerating innovative and accessible healthcare: Technology Transformation”, the Summit brought together important stakeholders from the healthcare industry especially U.S Businesses, Government, and academia. The event aimed to address critical issues and explore innovative solutions to enhance healthcare access, equity, and quality in India.

The conference focused on two critical aspects – Innovation and R&D, and Policy & Regulatory Framework in Healthcare Transformation.

The sessions explored critical themes in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare domains, highlighting transformative technologies like AI and genomics for faster therapies. Panellists stressed on the need for equitable healthcare access while being optimistic towards future breakthroughs. Another session focused on regulatory complexities globally, stressing local manufacturing and R&D for supply chain resilience.

The Summit served as a platform for industry leaders to articulate concerns, propose improvements, and outline expectations from the Government ahead of the upcoming Union Budget. This exchange allowed for proactive discussions on regulatory and economic policies that could impact the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at addressing industry challenges and fostering growth.

Commenting on the Summit theme Ms Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM said, “Today’s summit highlights critical collaboration between India and the USA in advancing healthcare solutions. As U.S. industry leaders innovate for global healthcare accessibility and quality, partnerships with Indian counterparts and initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat are pivotal. India’s significant role in supplying prescriptions and generics to the USA highlights our pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, occupying a 20% share in global supply by volume. Being a leading global vaccine manufacturer producing 60% of vaccines worldwide, India’s commitment to innovation is apparent. Unified efforts by both countries are set to propels us towards a future defined by universal health equity and innovation, transforming today’s challenges into tomorrow’s solutions and Pandemic preparedness”

Prominent speakers at the Summit included representatives from Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Bausch & Lomb, Wipro GE Healthcare, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi among others.

In his valedictory address, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge); Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State; Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Government of India, emphasized that the distinction between private and public sectors has dissolved. He stated that preventive healthcare today is a national and societal duty not restricted to healthcare professionals only. Dr. Singh reiterated India’s strong position as a top global manufacturer of cost-effective medical equipment and the importance of synergies in advancing healthcare.

The event underscored stakeholder collaboration’s pivotal role in advancing healthcare innovation, navigating regulatory landscapes, and enhancing global patient access.