Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival here, a coalition of US healthcare stakeholders have launched a website to kick-off a sustained campaign to inform American people on Indian pharmaceutical industry's contribution to their healthcare system.
The Coalition for Affordable Care comprises healthcare providers and life sciences companies, thinktanks and policy experts, academic and research institutions, US insurance companies and pension funds, NGOs and Trade Associations.
"High quality, low-cost access to generic medicines delivers significant savings to US citizens, alleviating financial pressures on an already over-burdened healthcare system," said Ron Somers of India First Group, which is spearheading the Coalition for Affordable Care.
From 2003 through 2012 generic drug use is estimated to have generated more than USD1.2 trillion in savings to the healthcare system, according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret A Hamburg.
India's role in achieving these savings has been significant, considering that of all the medicines sold in the US, as much as 70 per cent of the active ingredients are sourced from India, said a statement by the India First Group.
Affordable pricing of drugs and expanding access to medicines are twin goals which the Coalition for Affordable Care takes seriously, recognising that safety and quality are paramount, it said.
The Coalition hopes that these points will be made by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US President Barack Obama during their meetings.
"It is high-time for Americans inside the Beltway and across the country to validate the emerging partnership model that India and the US are forging to expand quality health care access to millions of Americans and Indians, as well as to the larger global community," Somers said.
"As the Prime Minister of India engages with the President of the United States and other elected officials, we are hopeful this message of partnership in healthcare will be embraced and endorsed.
"The US and India are already making a difference in healthcare, and this momentum must continue," said Somers, former president of the US-India Business Council.
The Coalition's launch of its website marks a beginning that aims to provide information and deepen trust between top US and Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers, the statement said.
