4
Published by
Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LUCKNOW BUREAU
Director ADMINISTRATION
Dr Ravi Gupta
Assistant Editor: Arpit Gupta
Archana Jaiswal
EDITORIAL TEAM: DELHI/NCR
AHMEDABAD BUREAU
Senior Assistant Editors: Souvik Goswami, Gautam Debroy Assistant Editors: Sandeep Datta, Vivek Ratnakar, Priyanka Sharma, Gopi Krishna Arora Senior Correspondents: Shivani Tyagi, Akash Tomer
Assistant Editor: Hemangini S Rajput
EDITORIAL & MARKETING CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondents: Rashi Aditi Ghosh, Rajbala
eHealth – Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd: Stellar IT Park Office No: 7A/7B, 5th Floor, Annexe Building, C-25, Sector-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, Phone: +91-120-4812600, Fax: +91-120-4812660, Email: info@elets.in
ODISHA BUREAU Senior Correspondent: Biswajit Sahoo
Owner, Publisher, Printer - Dr Ravi Gupta, Printed at Vinayak Print Media, D - 249, Sector-63, Noida 201 307. Uttar Pradesh and published from 710, Vasto Mahagun Manor, F-30 Sector-50, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Raipur BUREAU
© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic and mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without publisher’s permission.
Correspondent: Susmriti Sahu SALES & MARKETING TEAM
BENGALURU BUREAU Associate Editor: T Radha Krishna MUMBAI BUREAU Senior Assistant Editor: Kartik Sharma Senior Correspondent: Poulami Chakraborty Correspondent: Harshal Yashwant Desai
Senior Executive: Nilender Kumar Executives: Monika Pal, Anjana Yadav SUBSCRIPTION & CIRCULATION TEAM Manager, Subscription: +91-8860635832, subscription@elets.in
JAIPUR BUREAU
DESIGN TEAM
Senior Assistant Editor: Kartik Sharma CHANDIGARH BUREAU
Creative Heads: Pramod Gupta, Anjan Dey Deputy Art Directors: Om Prakash Thakur, Gopal Thakur, Shyam Kishore
Assistant Editor: Priya Yadav
Senior Graphic Designer: Pradeep G
HYDERABAD BUREAU
WEB DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Assistant Editor: Sudheer Goutham B
Farhan Khan
Like us on
ehealthmagazine
Follow us on
ehealthonline
Our Publications and Initiatives
Connect with us on
ehealthmagazine
Send your feedback about our interviews, features, articles, and news. You can either comment on the webpage of the story, or mail at editorial@ehealthonline.org
INDIA’S LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF INFUSION PUMPS
: 5.5
>>>> Adlt T : 00:01
1 2.5
Nation wide Service Network
For Service:
infu 510
Call 098840-79116 support@akasmedical.com
Advanced Infusion Pump
/min
ml/hr adult
pedia
Any IV set
Free Flow Protection
Program to your IV set & Accuracy promised
Safety lever protects accidental free flow
Drop/min & ml/hr Modes
Avoid Air Embolism
Drops / min and ml per hour easy change over
Air bubble detection and alarms as well as stops infusion
Adult & Pediatric Infusion
User Friendly
Adult IV set to Micro IV set easy change over
LCD for user assist function LED display for long distance viewing
240/1, Periya Colony, Athipet, Ambattur, Chennai 600 058. Tamilnadu, India. Ph:+91 44 3253 3333 sales@akasmedical.com
Mob: +91 98403 79116 Available Across 29 States and 7 UT's
Infusion, Syringe Pumps Patient Monitors, Oxygen Concentrator, 1/2/3 Para Monitors
Ophthalmology Division
LCD Vision Chart, A-Scan, B-Scan
Clinical Division
Quick Vital Sign, Infusion Controller
IX/AI/22/2017/IJP
An infusion pump that serves both volumetric and drop counting functions
41 September 2017 | Volume 12 | Issue 09
INNOVATION in HEALTHCARE
Indian Medical Devices Industry The Next Big Thing
16
COVER STORY
Innovations in Food & Pharma Driving Gujarat Growth Engine Policymaker’s perspective 22 E-initiatives by Gujarat FDCA Revolutionising the Drug Sector in India Dr Hemant Koshia Commissioner Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) Gujarat 28 Gujarat Ahead of its Times In Food Safety Dipika Chauhan Deputy Commissioner Food, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat 30 NHM Gujarat: Tackling Health Challenges through Innovation Dr Gaurav Dahiya Mission Director National Health Mission
industry perspective 42 Patient at the Centre Rai Umraopati Ray Co-Founder and Lead, Patient Education, India Virtual Hospital 44 Adani Wilmar: Making India A Healthy Growing Nation TK Kannan CEO Adani Wilmar Limited 46 Explained: What Technology has in Store for Healthcare Industry Dr Vishal Rajgarhia Marketing Director Finecure Pharmaceuticals 52 A Food Brand with Honest Approach Vijay R Gupta Founder and Promoter of Honest Group
54
special feature
Karnataka’s Anganwadi Women to Have ‘Matru Purna Scheme’
32 ‘Quality is the watchword of Drugs available in Odisha’ Hrushikesh Mahapatra Drugs Controller under Health & Family Welfare Department of Government of Odisha 36 OSMCL Assuring Quality, Saving Lives Ravindra Pratap Singh Managing Director Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL)
Company Profile 50 GlaxoSmithkline Meeting India’s Unmet Healthcare Needs 56 Das Pendawala Where Quality & Innovation Drive Growth
&"4: 16-4&ÂŽ &ĆŒDJFOU BOE $PNQBDU $BSEJBD 3FTVTDJUBUJPO %FWJDF 5IBOLT UP 5FDIOPMPHJDBM *OOPWBUJPOT Ÿ 6OCFMJFWBCMZ TNBMM BOE MJHIU Ÿ 1PSUBCMF BOE TUBOE BMPOF Ÿ 4MJEFS BOE CVDLMF TZTUFN QSPWJEFT FĆ‹FDUJWF BOE RVJDLFTU $13
FOBCMJOH QSPNQU SFTQPOTF
Ÿ )JHI RVBMJUZ BOE VOJOUFSSVQUFE DIFTU DPNQSFTTJPOT
QFSGPSNFE BVUPNBUJDBMMZ BU B DPOTJTUFOU SBUF BOE EFQUI BMTP EVSJOH USBOTQPSU
Ÿ 1FSGPSN DPNQSFTTJPO WFOUJMBUJPO DZDMF For enquiries contact : sales@schillerindia.com | Website : www.schillerindia.com | Toll-Free No. : 1-800-2098998 Swiss H.Q.: Schiller AG, Altgasse 68, P. O. Box 1052, CH - 6341 Baar, Switzerland, Indian Corporate OfďŹ ce: Schiller Healthcare India Pvt Ltd., Advance House, Makwana Rd, Off. Andheri Kurla Road, Marol Naka Metro Station, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400 059. Tel.: + 91- 9323799863, +91-22 61523333/ 29209141 | Fax: +91-22-29209142 E-mail: sales@schillerindia.com, support@schillerindia.com Factory : No. 17, Balaji Nagar, Puducherry 605010 CIN : U33110MH1997PTC111307
All registered trademarks acknowledged
8
Editorial Gujarat Redefining Food and Pharma Sector’s Significance Playing an exemplary role in the pharma sector, Gujarat is today recognised as the food and pharma hub of the country, contributing 28 percent of the total pharma export of India and being on the top of the agri-growth table. It may be mentioned that Gujarat is among the frontline States when it comes to industrial development. The State has made great strides in terms of ease of doing business, riding on the back of various e-Governance initiatives that have brought in transparency and accountability in its dealings with the business fraternity and the people to translate growth into equitable and inclusive growth -- in line with the economic goals set forth by Narendra Modi-led Central Government. The industrial sector of Gujarat, in which the share of food and pharmaceutical industry is quite considerable, has benefitted immensely from the e-Governance initiatives taken up by the State government -- helping companies to comply with safety standards and escape the procedural hindrances stemming from the old system of governance. Our cover story, “Innovations in Food and Pharma Driving Gujarat Growth Engine”, which is part of our special issue dedicated to the National Food and Pharma Summit, Gujarat, highlights such initiatives in detail. We hope that the Gujarat summit will take Gujarat’s agenda to use information and communication technology for common good to the next level, by bringing together various stakeholders on this unique platform and helping the State government learn from their experiences to achieve its goals. To give our readers a better insight into the various issues concerning food and pharma sectors, this issue of eHEALTH magazine also carries interviews of Dr Hemant Koshia, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat; Dipika Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Food, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat; Dr Gaurav Dahiya, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Gujarat; Hrushikesh Mohapatra, Drugs Controller, Government of Odisha; and Ravindra Pratap Singh, Managing Director of Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited. We are also proud to announce that the 3rd Annual Healthcare Summit Rajasthan will be organised by us in Jaipur in September, taking forward the agenda of our past conferences to create a robust and quality healthcare system in this state. Celebrating the 12 glorious years of eHEALTH magazine this year, we look forward to our readers’ invaluable feedback from the latest bouquet of stories, interviews and articles.
Dr Ravi Gupta Editor-in-Chief and CEO eHEALTH magazine Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd ravi.gupta@elets.in
Let the food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food
16
cover story
Innovations in Food & Pharma Driving Gujarat Growth Engine
Gujarat has emerged as a role model in adopting e-Governance initiatives in the health space, driving its economic progress by ensuring world-class quality of food and pharmaceutical products manufactured in the state. Backed by a favourable industrial policy, which is geared for catalysing a robust, sustainable and inclusive growth. The State is backed by a favourable industrial policy, which is geared for catalysing a robust, sustainable and inclusive growth. Considered one of the most investor-friendly states in India, Gujarat also tops the agri growth table on the back of innovative initiatives and stringent safety standards in place, writes Gopi Krishna Arora and Hemangini Rajput of Elets News Network.
W
hen the world economy was grappling with a major global recession that first became apparent in 2008, Gujarat held on its own to emerge as the only ‘investor-friendly’ state in India with its Industrial Policy 2009 geared for catalysing a robust,
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
sustainable and inclusive growth. Driven by the entrepreneurial zeal of its people, Gujarat is among the few states in India which figure prominently on the industrial map of India. As a matter of fact, Gujarat pays 27 per cent tax of India. With the
success of Vibrant Gujarat Summits, it is evident that the State has the highest success rate of project implementation in the country. The state has also embarked on a new model of industrial development through product clusters, industrial
17
e-Governance Initiative of Gujarat FDCA E-initiatives started by Gujarat are revolutionising the drug sector in India. The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, which is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring the quality of food and drugs in the State, is the only ISO certified regulatory authority in India. In accordance with the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s thrust on e-Governance, Gujarat FDCA implemented a web-based software – Xtended Licensing, Laboratory & Legal Node (XLN) in January 2007.
XLN covers varied functions related to issuance of licenses, enforcement, laboratory management, availability of medicines, and monitoring of availability of blood and its components with the blood banks. The aim behind creating this system was to bring about transparency, traceability, simplicity, effectiveness, speed, accuracy and accountability in various G2G, G2C & G2B functions of the department. Gujarat FDCA began with making the licensing process online to ensure that the licenses are issued within the specific time-frame. The biggest benefit of the system is that it has freed up the time of the FDCA officials, which is now used to draw more samples and conduct more raids. XLN also allows e-interaction between FDCA officials of different states. In case a sub-standard or spurious drug detected in one state has been
Benefits of GHMIS For State Administrators, Medical Superintendents: • State-wide holistic view of hospitals’ day-to-day functioning • Management Information System & Monitoring of pre-defined health indicators • Decision support based on exception reporting using alerts and triggers • Monitoring of effectiveness of National Programs and identifying areas of improvements estates, industrial parks and Special Economic Zones. This has ensured that Gujarat remain on the high road to development and growth, and ultimately passing on the dividends of growth to the people of the State. It is against this backdrop that various e-Governance initiatives were undertaken by the State Government to bring in more transparency and accountability to the entire gamut of business processes to accelerate transformation of the State’s industrial landscape. The efforts culminated into the state winning multiple awards,
For Doctors and Healthcare staff: • Increased efficiency due to easy access to electronic medical records, templates for treatment recording cycle and ICD10 codification support • Overall reduced time-to-serve patients along with quality patient care • Building knowledge-base for research & development support by individual doctor or organisation For Citizens: • Efficient health services at hospitals due to digitized history of records • Reduced per visit time for patients • Standardized charges • Less waiting time • Longer life of patient records • No need to carry bulky files • Online Information about doctors’ availability
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
cover story
including the National e-Governance Gold Award, placing Gujarat among the frontline states which value technological innovations as much as they value investments and industrial growth.
18
cover story
manufactured in another state, XLN generates auto intimation to the Intelligence Bureau cell of that state, and makes the entire supply chain available to all the concerned authorities. Final action taken by the manufacturing state in the matter is auto reflected to the sample drawers. XLN has played a major role in ensuring efficiency and curbing corruption in FDCA, Gujarat. A new e-file gets auto allotted to the staff member having the least pendency on that particular day. The system’s e-GOV lock ensures sequential processing of an e-file, and in case a file violates the seven days time frame on one desk, it gets automatically locked. The lock can only be opened after the concerned officer provides an explanation for the delay in file clearance to his superior. Similarly, the system monitors and logs the activities of the FDCA officials on XLN, leaving no room for any mischief with the applications or data. It rates the circle offices based on various criteria, and five best performing and worst performing ones get highlighted for scrutiny by the head office. This model of e-Governance has been replicated in 14 states across India and various other state governments are considering to implement it to bring more efficiency into the system. e-Governance Initiatives in Health The Gujarat Government promotes information sharing with the citizens by way of display and disclosure of information of large number of functional departments and their subordinate organisations through their respective websites. To position the state as a key knowledge economy, the State government’s Science and Technology Department is leaving no stone unturned to make the government-
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
citizen interface more effective, transparent and efficient. Gujarat is an aspiring leader with e-readiness initiatives driven by its IT Policy of 2006-2011. Gujarat has been positioned at the L2 Stage in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), which is based on environment, readiness and usage of applications. The state is among the top hotspots in the world as far as e-Governance is concerned. Gujarat Hospital Management Information System (GHMIS) The aim of a Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) is to build trust and confidence for the general hospitals in the hearts of the citizens by providing efficient and quality health services through IT application. They streamline the operations with improved patient care and effective administration and control. The Gujarat Hospital Management Information System (GHMIS) is a state-of the-art healthcare solution to provide better care to patients by addressing all the major functional areas of the hospital and the entire gamut of hospital activities. The main aim is to maintain Electronic Health Records of patients. Ability Gujarat A web-based application named
Ability Gujarat has been developed intended to deliver the benefits of ICT to improve effective and efficient delivery of health services to differently abled people. The project has been designed to cover the entire state of Gujarat. The key component of the project is to identify Persons with Disability (PwDs) and undertake issuance of “disability certificates” to the individuals within a specified time period. Features of Ability Gujarat: • Scientific assessment of degree of the disability based on guidelines and formulae • Generation of a computer based Disability Certificate with unique ID along with Identity Card. • Will provide details of support services for disabled person • The database thus generated will be hosted in the Public Domain which can be accessed online.
19
Drug Logistics Information & Management System DLIMS handles procurement, storage and distribution of medicines, drugs, injectable, surgical goods and medical equipments. It enhances the operational efficiency of the healthcare services provided at PHC and Sub-Centre level. The basic aim is maintaining database of drugs stocks and medical equipments. The initiative has won National “Silver Award” for e-Governance for the year 2008-09. e-Aushadhi This is a supply chain management application that deals with purchase, inventory management and distribution of various drugs. ‘e-Aushadhi’, which deals with the management of stock of various drugs, sutures and surgical items required by different district drug warehouses. The main aim of ‘e-Aushadhi’ is to ascertain the needs of various district drug warehouses such that all the required materials/drugs are constantly available to be supplied to the user district drug warehouses without delay. This includes classification/categorization of items,
The main aim of ‘e-Aushadhi’ is to ascertain the needs of various district drug warehouses such that all the required materials/ drugs are constantly available to be supplied to the user district drug warehouses without delay.
codification of items, quality check of these items, etc and finally issuing drugs to the patients, who is the final consumer in the chain. Benefits and main objectives of ‘e-Aushadhi’ • To implement a transparent system for procurement, storage and distribution of quality drugs, supplies, equipments etc. required for the hospitals at reasonable competitive price. • To ensure adequate savings in the drug budget by scientific forecasting system based on the preparation of essential drug list and its actual consumption. • Monitoring the budget and drug consumption pattern by introducing pass book system. • To improve infrastructure of the existing drug ware house in district. • Streamline the Drug warehouse
management, quality management, equipment inventory management, equipment complain chain management, equipment auction life cycle, human resource and finance management in an optimized and efficient manner. • Enhance the use of technology as a cost-effective solution to support the OSMC administration’s step towards new direction. • Support the operational and strategic information needs of the OSMC. • Provide an infrastructure for the sharing of information and computer applications throughout the OSMC hierarchy. Birth & Death Entry Application System Registration of birth is a right of the child and is the first step towards establishing their identity. It is compulsory to report births and deaths to the Registrar of Births and Deaths under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. Births and Deaths are registered only at the place of their occurrence. Head of the household is responsible to report births and deaths that occurred in the house to the Registrar of Births and Deaths. It is the responsibility of the officer in charge to report the births and deaths that occur in hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, etc, to the Registrar of Births and Deaths of the concerned area. For reporting of events, prescribed forms are used, Form 1 for live birth, Form 2 for death and Form 3 for still birth. BADEA System is used to store and monitor statistical data of Birth, Death and Still Birth. System is to analyze the demographic and personal information is inserted into it. The main aim is to maintain database of Birth & Death records. The data entry in (BADEA) for rural area is by EGVS at village level and for urban area at Taluka/Nagarpalika/Corporation. The System is developed for the Health and Welfare Department, Government
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
cover story
• Query Module will help us to retrieve the information in desired format. • Online analytical reports of various parameters related to PwDs can be generated • Centralized database will be helpful for effective camp approach • Efficient services at hospitals due to digitalization of records • Real-time Information about PwDs • Easy to avail disability certificate due to Fixed Day and Fixed time approach • Reduced per visit time and less waiting time for the certificate • Longer life of disability records • Improvement in the quality of life of PwDs
20
cover story
of Gujarat by National Informatics Centre, Gujarat State. E-Olakh This ICT initiative is developed for recording birth registration, death registration, still birth registration, compilation of records. The main aim is maintaining database of Birth & Death records and Issuing birth & death certificates.
Women, new born child and mothers. Blood Bank Management System (BBMS) It provides details of all blood banks in state with availability of stocks, ongoing camps and details of donors. The main purpose is stock availability of blood in blood banks across the state. GPS based MHU / MMU Tracking System
Mukhya Mantri Amrutam (MA) The purpose of the scheme is to improve access of BPL families to quality medical and surgical care for the treatment of identified diseases involving hospitalization, surgeries and therapies through an empanelled network of health care providers. The beneficiary is any Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, whose information is included in the district BPL list prepared by the State government rural development department and urban development department. The eligible family needs to come to the enrollment station, and the identity of the household head needs to be confirmed by the authorized official. E-Mamta (MCTS) E-Mamta is a technological platform that would account for tracking of each pregnant woman and children by name based registration, is provider interactive (village wise list to due beneficiaries-work plan) and beneficiary interactive (SMS to the beneficiary) is a new phenomenon in Public Health, where primarily reporting was based on numbers and evaluation, i.e., reaching out to beneficiary was considered a mammoth task. The target beneficiary of this initiative is Pregnant Women, Mothers & New Born Child. The main purpose is maintaining database of Pregnant
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
This system is for tracking and monitoring of vehicles which provide health services to unreached areas. It tracks the Vehicles provided to Health care providers.
The Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Programme, run by the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat has been awarded with ‘Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ for the activities carried out in 2009-10 in tribal districts on 21st April, 2011.
Sickle cell Anaemia Control Programme This is a comprehensive program which fulfils the guidelines on sickle cell anaemia are recommended by WHO. The program helps in early diagnosis – New Born Screening (NBS), treatment and counselling of Sickle Disease patients including prevention by marriage counselling and prenatal diagnosis. The Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Programme, run by the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat has been awarded with “Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration” for the activities carried out in 2009-10 in tribal districts on 21st April, 2011. School Health - Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SH-RBSK) Developing the human capital of especially the intellectual, social, mental and physical abilities of children and adolescents is fundamental to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens.
Developing human capital is also critical for nations to enjoy political stability and economic growth. Nations that have invested in health and education have tended to experience corresponding economic development. School Health (SHP) is a single, largest time framed health programme operating in the State of Gujarat since 1997. SHP covers all 26 districts and 18,568 villages (including 7 Corporations) of the State. The main purpose is maintenance of health records of children and adolescents. The Government of Gujarat, Department of Health in collaboration with Education Department & WCD started innovative school health programme in 1997. A State-level steering committee, under the chairmanship of the State Health Minister takes important decision about the School health programme.
22
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
E-initiatives by Gujarat FDCA Revolutionising the Drug Sector in India The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, has adopted innovative and progressive policies for promotion of e-Governance in the State. Recognising the efforts made by the department in this space, the Government of India has awarded it with the National e-Governance Gold Award, says Dr Hemant Koshia, Commissioner, FDCA, Gujarat, in conversation with Gopi Krishna Arora and Hemangini S Rajput of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Hemant Koshia
Commissioner Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) Gujarat
Q
What is the Gujarat FDCA doing to ensure availability of safe medicines in the market? In order to ensure the availability of safe drugs to the citizens, we have world-class technologies available in our laboratories and a well-trained team of Food and Drugs Control Administration to look into all safety issues. At Gandhinagar headquarters, we have structured organogram with joint commissioners-drugs manufacturing, joint commissionerdrugs, joint commissioner-medical
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
devices and joint commissionerfood to look after food safety. We also have deputy commissioners for blood safety, food, price control, manufacturing and drugs safety in Gandhinagar. We have presence in all the districts of the State through assistant commissioners, who are assisted by senior drugs inspectors for manufacturing site and drug inspectors for the cell units located in the districts.
Besides, FDCA has presence up to the district level and a good network of intelligence units at all levels to take instant action against wrongdoers. Apart from this, we have state-ofthe-art drugs laboratories, which are the first to have obtained National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation in the country. Having this accreditation helped us establish our credibility in domestic as well as international market.
23
Q
What steps are being taken by the FDCA to make regulatory set-up more transparent? Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, has adopted innovative and progressive policies for promotion of e-Governance in the State. We have two major responsibilities – services and enforcement. As an enforcement agency our mission is to assure that the products are safe and truthfully labelled. On the service front, we have always shown pro-active interest in adopting and updating our e-Governance initiatives from time to time. Our path breaking e-Governance initiatives ensure transparency in our work.
Q
What e-Governance initiatives have been taken up by the FDCA to inter-connect licensing, registration offices, laboratories and online applications for licensing? We have launched many e-Governance initiatives like Xtended Licensing, Laboratory and Legal Node (XLN), XLN covers varied functions related to issuance of licenses, enforcement, laboratory management, availability of medicines, and monitoring of availability of blood and its components with the blood banks. The aim behind creating this system was to bring about transparency, traceability, simplicity, effectiveness, speed, accuracy and accountability in various G2G (government to government), G2C
(government to consumers) and G2B (government to business) functions of the department. Going extra miles, we have also been training all our officials on priority basis, by conducting continuous training programmes and induction training of newly-appointed officers. This has helped us to not only sharpen our knowledge base, but also maintain and further improve the performance of FDCA to achieve new landmarks. All these initiatives make the department activities more transparent for the industry and the public. We have already computerised our day-today operations as part of our e-Governance efforts long back, as it is the right of the industry to know the status of their application. Recognising the efforts made by Gujarat FDCA in adopting and implementing e-Governance initiatives that have been replicated in other States, the Government of India has awarded the department with the National e-Governance Gold Award.
Q
Gujarat being a “Pharma Capital”, what sets the State FDCA apart from other drug control departments in the country? Gujarat has always been one of the frontline States in the implementation of e-Governance policies and projects in India to make system transparent. Many independent agencies have rated Gujarat as one of the most e-prepared States in the country. Besides, the Gujarat is a wellgoverned state and works with the vision of “Maximum Governance and Minimum Government” that sets us apart from other States in the country.
Recognising the efforts made by Gujarat FDCA in adopting and implementing e-Governance initiatives that have been replicated in other States, the Government of India has awarded the department with the National e-Governance Gold Award.
Q
What are the key issues and challenges that FDCA faces when it comes to regulatory compliance? One-third pharma production in the country takes place in Gujarat and the State contributes 28 per cent of the total pharma export of India. The State’s pharma industry produces best quality affordable medicines. But still, there are some black sheeps in the market. Therefore, all this accomplishments bring along their own set of challenges. While in general the industry is fairly very co-operative and good in compliance, there have been some incidences of non-compliance among SMEs or MSMEs.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Also, being the ‘pharma capital of the country’ we have more than 4,000 licensed manufactures and over 37,000 retail pharmacies. With the better use of e-Governance initiatives and advanced technology, we are managing the show efficiently.
24
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
It has come to our notice that some small-scale manufacturers take law for granted by overlooking certain regulatory compliances, which are essential to ensure a long shelf life and quality of products. Lack of an efficient internal control or compliance system, inadequate utilisation of technology to identify red flags, etc are some of the issues that need to be addressed. We take strict action against those who flout the law. As a regulator, Gujarat FDCA ensures proper compliance and implementation of the food and drug regulatory practices like licensing of manufacturing units, giving approval for test and analysis, conducting post marketing surveillance and routine inspections and prompt investigation after receiving complaints. Apart from ensuring proper implementation and monitoring, we also make sure that law violaters are not spared. As punitive actions, we make sure that the licenses of the guilty are either suspended or cancelled along with filing and building appropriate case against them as the situation demands. We do this with the help of our strong work force of highly skilled and trained food and drug officials. As a regulator, it is our duty to ensure that industry follows all the good regulatory practices and comply with the law of the land and work towards ensuring that the quality of the products are not compromised with.
Q
Do you think strengthening of existing and creation of new drug testing laboratories is essential to ensure the quality of drugs being produced in India? Currently, Gujarat has the largest and oldest drug testing lab in the country with the latest medical
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Our Goal • • • • • •
•
To reduce Maternal Mortality Rate of Gujarat To reduce Infant Mortality Rate of Gujarat To reduce Neonatal Mortality Rate of Gujarat To increase Sex Ratio of Gujarat To reduce anaemia burden in population To reduce disease burden of Communicable Diseases and NonCommunicable Diseases To reduce, control and manage water-borne diseases and vectorborne diseases
equipments, trained manpower and technology. Because drug is a science and technology-based industry, laboratories act as a backbone for us. We take samples and test them regularly with the help of world-
class technology available in our laboratories and nab wrongdoers to ensure safe and secure drugs for all. We are also planning to come up with a new state-of-the-art testing lab at Vadodara for which the central government has approved Rs 55 crores.
Q
What are the new projects that the Gujarat FDCA is currently undertaking to keep up with the change in monitoring and regulation? We have state-of-the-art testing laboratories to ensure best possible monitoring. We are always ready to adopt the best and world-class technologies available globally. Gujarat FDCA is equipped with hand-held devices and mobile testing labs. The hand-held devices are high-tech in nature with which we can detect the components available in a drug within seconds without breaking the container of injections, capsules and tablets during raids.
Diagnose better, treat sooner with Barco mammography displays
Increased accuracy, higher productivity, maximum uptime and compliance‌ You probably think this will cost a lot. Not with Barco displays. Our mammography displays have been designed to minimize image manipulations so you can improve workflow. They unveil the smallest details so you can on the market. So you can be confident about every decision you make, in every way.
www.barco.com/healthcare
Barco -India A-38, A B&C, Sector-64, Noida-201301,U.P. +91-120-4020000 | +91-9971441118 | sales.in@barco.com
26
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Q
How do you rate the industrial policies in Gujarat, especially for the pharma sector? Where does Gujarat stand when it comes to initiating industry-friendly policies? We have a very good law and order situation, and the state is also power surplus which is a prerequisite for any industry to grow. Trained manpower is also essential for any industry to thrive, and we have many pharmacy institutes located in Gujarat. There are research and development centres engaged in inventing new drugs. Altogether, these conditions provide a very good business environment, especially to the pharma sector. FDCA has always adopted friendly and transparent policies, helping newcomers in the industry to grow organically.
Q
Gujarat has slipped to the number three position in the recent ease of doing business ranking in India, what is your take on this? Gujarat remained on top for many years in ease of doing business. We are redesigning our business policies and process reengineering has already been initiated. I am confident that very soon we will regain the number one rank in ease of doing business in India.
Q
Pharmaceutical marketing and aggressive promotion also contributes to irrational use, do we have any code for identifying and penalising unethical promotion on the part of pharma companies? To combat the unethical and spurious drugs, we have very strict laws and fast trails to deal with such cases as this is a heinous crime and we don’t allow someone to play with the life of citizens. In such cases, we immediately lodge FIRs with the police and send criminals behind the bars.
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Q
What are the present policies that promote production and consumption of healthy food in the State? Gujarat is a well-known destination as far as food industry is concerned. The State is the largest producer of cumin, potato, banana, oils and food grain. We have many food parks cold storages in place. Recently, the Government of India has also announced three mega food parks in the State.
Q
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out a scheme for strengthening the food testing system in the country with an outlay of Rs 481.95 crore, what is your opinion about that? At present, we have three testing labs in the State. Of these, two are food testing labs (at Rajkot and Bhuj) and one is a food and drug testing lab at Vadodara. Under the same scheme, we have also applied and got sanctioned Rs 50 lakhs in first phase to upgrade our Rajkot and Bhuj laboratories as per the requirements set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Q
Any suggestions that you would like to give to the food and pharma companies which are looking to be in Gujarat as part of their expansion plans? Gujarat has strong fundamentals -its entrepreneurial people, excellent infrastructure, stable governance and business friendly policies make the State best destination for doing business. We are always welcoming the new entrepreneurs to grow with us, as Gujarat is already a top producing State in food, its pharma and the quality of the goods are better as compare to those being produced in other part of the country.
Gujarat has strong fundamentals -- its entrepreneurial people, excellent infrastructure, stable governance and business friendly policies make the state best destination for doing business.
Industry Perspective
MAY / 2017 ehealth.eletsonline.com
27
28
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Gujarat Ahead of its Times In Food Safety Every year, FDCA tests nearly 13,000-14,000 food samples, covering sales, godowns, restaurants, hawkers, manufacturers, imports, MDM, Anganwadis, etc. Moreover, continuous inspections, raids, surveillance, training to small FBOs and creating public awareness ensure that the citizens get quality food, says Dipika Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Food, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat, in conversation with Hemangini S Rajput of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dipika Chauhan Deputy Commissioner Food, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat
Q
What are the parameters being followed to ensure food safety in Gujarat? In order to combat food adulteration and ensure that the people of Gujarat get safe food, the State has put regulatory as well as prohibitory parameters in place. To enforce regulatory parameters, our food safety officers (FSOs) do inspections, take samples, issue
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
notices, conduct surveillance of the samples and provide training to Food Business Operators (FBOs). For prohibitory work, we prosecute wrongdoers. Also, cases are submitted for adjudication where fine is imposed.
Gujarat is equipped with six food testing laboratories with high-tech instruments. Four mobile testing and exhibition vans equipped with on the spot testing facilities and food safety and management systems help our field officers in their work.
Q
Q
What new technologies FDCA has taken up for making the quality assessment more accurate and easy?
How FDCA is ensuring availability of quality food to the citizens? What are the parameters being followed?
29
Besides, we also have a 24X7 helpline number (18002335500) and the FDCA website to help consumers directly register their complaints. These complaints are monitored at the highest level of FDCA.
Q
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out a scheme for strengthening the food testing system in the country, what is your take on it? To strengthen the food testing system, Gujarat has already taken certain initiatives like enhancing capabilities of our laboratories,
training FBOs, creating public awareness, upgrading the quality of street foods, undertaking IEC (Information Education Communication) activities, introducing mobile testing vans, and conducting surveillance of seasonal foods, etc.
Q
Any suggestions that you would like to give to the food companies looking to enter Gujarat? A company entering Gujarat, either as a manufacturer or as a sales and marketing company, should first ensure the quality of the products, nutritional values of the products, and maintaining good hygiene at manufacturing unit, supply chain and storage. The company should invoke confidence in the quality of products during the entire life cycle.
Q
A company entering Gujarat, either as a manufacturer or as a sales and marketing company, should first ensure the quality of the products, nutritional values of the products, and maintaining good hygiene at manufacturing unit, supply chain and storage.
What all e-Governance initiatives have been taken up by the FDCA Gujarat in recent times? The Gujarat is ahead of its times
in issuing online licenses and registrations to the Food Business Operators. All the officers and laboratories are covered by the food safety management system as part of the e-Governance initiative of FDCA.
Q
What are the future plans of FDCA Gujarat for the food industry? FDCA Gujarat plans to ensure the availability of safe food to the people of Gujarat. Also on the agenda is to educate the consumer about their rights, punish the wrongdoers and train maximum number of people on food safety.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Every year, FDCA tests nearly 13,000-14,000 food samples, covering sales, godowns, restaurants, hawkers, manufacturers, imports, Mid-Day Meals, Anganwadis, etc. Moreover, continuous inspections, raids, surveillance, training to small FBOs and creating public awareness ensure that the citizens get quality food.
30
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
NHM Gujarat Tackling Health Challenges through Innovation The government is committed to provide accessible, affordable, equality, quality healthcare to the people. Active and passive surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases are done on a priority basis in Gujarat to ensure early detection of diseases, says Dr Gaurav Dahiya, Mission Director, National Health Mission, in conversation with Gopi Krishna Arora of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr Gaurav Dahiya
Mission Director National Health Mission
Q
What is your strategy to deliver preventive, curative and rehabilitative public health services to the rural as well as urban population? The government is committed to provide accessible, affordable, equality, quality healthcare to the people. The National Health Mission is supporting National Health Programmes like TB Control, NVBDCP (Nation Vector Born Disease Control Programme), NPCB (National Programme for Blindness
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Control), Leprosy, IDSP (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme), MCH (Maternal and Child health) as a part of Information Education Communication (IEC). Doing monitoring and evaluation of all programmes are also done for urban and rural population.
Q
Your role is to supervise the implementation of all the schemes which generally fall under three broad categories -- maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases -- in
a time bound manner, how do you manage to do this? The mother and child health programme is monitored through output and outcome indicator. Capacity building is reducing the disease burden of communicable as well as non-communicable diseases in a big way.
Q
Apart from clean drinking water and sanitation, which other major components impact public health majorly?
31
Q
What are the challenges involved in ensuring equitable access for all citizens to affordable, accountable and appropriate, assured quality health services? Improvement in health index is the main challenge for NHM and the Government of Gujarat is committed to providing affordable access to health services by strengthening human resource, infrastructure and quality. We have identified high priority talukas and districts, where we give more focused attention.
Q
There are many programmes being run by you such as immunisation, population stabilisation, reducing infant mortality and maternal mortality ratio, where do you utilise the funds most? All programme are interlinked. So funds are utilised appropriately in each programme. Ultimately, it is reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Adolescent Basket that matter the most.
Q
What are the major initiatives taken up by the State government to improve healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas? The focus of the government initiatives is to strengthen peripheral
health infrastructure as per rural health statics and recruiting human resource in these areas, along with provision of special incentives including free drugs and diagnostics.
Q
What are the Government’s priorities under the NHM for the coming year? Malnutrition elimination and noncommunicable disease screening are the main areas of concern for National Health Mission in Gujarat.
Q
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) offer an opportunity to tap the material, human and managerial resources of the private sector for public good, what are the challenges and opportunities involved in PPP model for health domain? In the healthcare delivery sector, the State has a good experience. There is an opportunity to tap well spread private organisations and NGOs in offering services like Emergency services of 108, MMU and MHU. However, reaching the remotest areas for providing healthcare services remains a big challange.
Q
There must be substantial expansion and strengthening of the public sector healthcare system if we are to meet the health needs of rural as well as urban areas, what is your take on this? We are gradually improving our infrastructure, human resource and health facilitities close to population.
Q
Quality of healthcare services in both the public and private sector is a serious concern, many practitioners in the private sector are actually not qualified doctors, how do you observe this?
We are taking corrective major actions according to the law.
Q
In India, the percentage of population covered under health insurance is small and also the purchase of medicines is mostly not covered in insurance schemes. In this case, affordability of healthcare becomes a serious concern for the vast majority of the population, how your department plans to tackle this? Affordability of healthcare services has increased in the State through implementation of MA and MA Vatsalya Yojana that covered Below Poverty Line families having Rs 1.5 lakh annual income. RSBY is also supporting this cause.
Q
Tell us about the health management information system (HMIS) application software and other such IT initiatives taken up to improve healthcare systems? HMIS software is provided by the Government of India for monitoring and evaluation of health programmes on periodical basis. E-MAMATA is a state innovation for taking care of mother and child services.
Q
Trained and competent human capital is the foundation of an effective health system, what is your opinion on this issue? The State is committed to develop public health cadre and has already started appointing Additional Director level officials to Taluka Health Officers having degrees like Master in Public Health, Master in Preventive Medicine and Diploma in Public Health, etc.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Information Education Communication (IEC) to reduce the communicable and noncommunicable disease burden and focus on the lifestyle changes and healthy behaviour are part of our activity. Active and passive surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases are done on a priority basis to ensure early detection of diseases and early response.
32
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
‘Quality is the watchword of Drugs available in Odisha’ The Drugs Control Administration has ensured 3Ts - Teamwork, Transparency and Technology in Drug and Pharma administration and ensuring quality drugs are available in Odisha. In this regard, the state Drug Control Administration has introduced web automation in the entire operation process of drug licensing, monitoring, utilisation and enforcement. Hrushikesh Mahapatra, Drugs Controller under Health & Family Welfare Department of Government of Odisha shares the current strategy of Directorate of Drugs Control Administration in the State, in an interview with Biswajit Sahoo of Elets News Network (ENN).
Hrushikesh Mahapatra
Drugs Controller under Health & Family Welfare Department of Government of Odisha
Q
Give us an overview of Odisha Drug Control Administration?
Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC), Odisha, functions as the head of the Drugs Control Administration in the State to ensure that the drugs made available to the people for disease prevention and treatment match the required standards of quality, purity and strength and are packed in specific containers that gives all necessary information about the drug and manufacturer. In brief, Drugs Control Administration regulates the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the state of Odisha by implementing relevant central Drug
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
and Pharmaceutical legislations in the state though its team such as • Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940 and Rules 1945 • Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 & Rules, 1955 • Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 r/w Essential Commodities Act, 1955. • Odisha Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1989. (For limited purpose) In Odisha, the Drugs Controller, Odisha is the Controlling Authority and Head of the Department. Drugs
Controller is also the Licensing Authority of the State for licenses to manufacture for sale of Allopathic drugs, Homoeopathic drugs and Cosmetics.
Q
How do you operate in the State to ensure quality drugs are recommended by physicians and administered by patients? The DDC in the State comes under the administrative control of Health & Family Welfare Department. The DDC functions mainly with two wings, i.e; Administrative and Testing wings. The administrative wing is headed by the Drugs Controller
34
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
along with 44 Drug Inspectors, four Assistant Drug Controllers, four Deputy Drugs Controllers and 40 range officers in the field to watch and monitor. The Testing wing or the State Drug Testing and Research Laboratory (SDT&RL) of Odisha functions with one Principal Scientific Officer and 42 more scientific officers and laboratory assistants. The DDC has the mandate to execute certain statutory functions, so that quality drugs are available for public through sampling of drugs and cosmetics for test to ascertain their quality, monitoring of quality of drugs and cosmetics, manufactured in the State and marketed in the State with other licensing activities. The DDC has also the mandate of grant and renew Blood Bank licenses to government institutions as well as to Private hospitals.
Q
What is the broader role of Drug Control Administration?
To ensure quality drugs are available in the State, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) grant/renew the sale of drug license and also keep a close watch over the enforcement made by the district drug inspectors, within the State of Odisha. DCA also checks/arrest movement of spurious/ adulterated/sub standard drugs sale as well as manufacture. Odisha has exemplary track records of exposing dubious and fake drug manufacturers in recent times which has been a case study now in Drug enforcement administration. The DCA in Odisha also grants or renews manufacturing drug licences both in Allopathic and Homeopathic and grants and renews cosmetics manufacturing licences.
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Q
What are the IT integration strategies adopted by Drug Controller Administration in Odisha? Does it help in ensuring quality of available drugs apart from monitoring and enforcement? The State Drugs Testing and Resarch Laboratory (SDT&RL) was established with the objective to test and analyse statutory drug samples under the provision of Drugs and Cosmetics act 1940 and Rules there under and to assess the quality of drug samples received from different sources like DCA and consumers in Odisha. The SDT&RL assists the enforcement wing to ensure the availability of quality drugs across the State. To ensure quality control through Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), SDT&RL has initiated an automation tool called Drug Testing and Data Management System (DTDMS). The DTDMS is a web-enabled system, which facilitates the entire process of drug testing at laboratory and manages the data flow generated from the testing process. With this, all activities of the laboratory have been made automated and web based, so as to enable the users to retrieve the exact status, as and when required. It also digitises the test reports and generates the same instantly.
Q
What are the other monitoring processes initiated by DCA?
The Drugs Control Administration has ensured 3Ts, Teamwork, Transparency and Technology in ensuring quality drugs available in the State. In this regard, the DCA with the support of National Health Mission, Odisha, is bringing automation in the entire operation process of drug licensing, monitoring, utilisation and enforcement.
The DCA has made detail plans and arrangements to introduce Licence Management System (LMS), a web based application to track and trace the licences, grant and renewals at different licensing zones of Directorate of Drugs Control. The system enables citizen interested in drug retailing, distributing and manufacturing, to apply online for their drug licenses. The process of verification and recommendation by the drug inspector and the approval of Licensing Authority are planned to be carried out online. The existing drug retailer, distributor and manufacturer can also renew/change their licenses in the system. Another software tool for automation is Pharmacist Information Management System (PIMS). It is a web based application to facilitate the registration and renewal of pharmacists at Odisha Pharmacy Council. The database of pharmacists which are registered and renewed is uplinked with License Management System to enable the Licensing Authority of drugs and Drug Inspectors of the State to view the up to date status of the pharmacist vis-Ă -vis issue of drug license. The DCA has also planned to introduce online Enforcement System to monitor the drugs manufactured, distributed or supplied in the State are of approved quality, label and licensed manufacturers. This system enables to investigate and monitor complains, issues by the team involving Drug Inspectors from sample collection and investigation in the field. It further gets approval from the Drug Controller and necessary actions are initiated as per the law for noncompliance to defaulters.
Saurastra, an integral part of Gujarat, is very famous for its culture and warm welcoming traditions. The year 1918 marked beginning of a new era in sweet making in Savarkundla. Shri Vanmalidas Devchand (our forefather) started a milk and penda shop and soon it became famous as Das Pendawala. In the year 1974 we also started a shop in Bhavnagar. Today Das Pendawala is a private limited company having one shop in Savarkundla, four shops in Bhavnagar, two in Ahmedabad, one in Vadodara, two in Surat and still counting. Our ultra modern, hygienic, state of the art manufacturing unit (our factory) is located in an area of 8100 sq. yards plot and is a massive 36000 sq. ft constructed premises. The secret of our success is the consistency of good quality which is due to recipes handed down to us by our forefather and modified by us to include mechanization and atomization to increase output.
COM PANY PRO FILE COMPANY PROFILE
Another important attribute to our consistent good quality is richness and purity of the raw materials and ingredients used in our products. Milk, being the primary and basic raw material for almost all and any sweet item, is collected at our private collection centers situated in nearby villages wherein bulk milk coolers/ chilling plants are installed. We also have our private in-house laboratory wherein our dairy technologist examines and tests the milk for purity. Similarly, our world famous Bhavnagari ganthia are popular because of their superior quality. Quality which is maintained by the use of best quality raw materials like besan ( gram flour) pure groundnut oil, spices like black pepper and asafetida. Even today our ganthia are hand-made using a secret formula which has made them unparalleled. The current young generation of our family is involved in the family business and its growth by inculcating new ideas and technologies. This is a natural outcome of having highly qualified family members having degrees like Mech. Engineer, C.A., M.B.A., M.C.A., L.L.B. etc. Das Aatithya, a dining restaurant in Bhavnagar is run by our family where we serve hygienic, wholesome, delicious Gujarati Thali. Maintaining good Quality, purity and hygiene have always been our motto.
Vision & Mission “Constantly Giving Good, Healthy and Hygenic Product to our Customer with the Help of our Satisfied Employees and Upgraded Technology.” registered Office and factOry
dAS PENdAwAlA FoodS PVt ltd 290, G.I.D.C. Chitra, Bhavnagar-364004, Gujarat Phone: +91 – 278 - 2449595 / 96 | Fax: + 91 – 278 – 2449597 Email: daspendawala@gmail.com | Web: daspendawala.com Our retail Outlets BHAVNAGAR Khargate Kalanala Shastrinagar Crescent Vadodariya Park
Phone : (0278) 2428278 Phone : (0278) 2430724 Phone : (0278) 3013182 Phone : (0278) 2514226 Phone : (0278) 2565617
BARodA Productivity Road
Phone : (0261) 2212096
AHMEdABAd Satellite Panchwati
Phone : (079) 2352087 Phone : (079) 26402623
SuRAt Ghod dod road Mini Bazar
Phone : (0261) 2212096 Phone : (0261) 2546110
SAVARkuNdAlA Gandhi Chowk
Phone : (02845) 242676
36
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
OSMCL Assuring Quality, Saving Lives Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) was set up as a wholly owned company in 2013 to function as a central procurement agency for procurement of specified essential drugs for successful running of the Niramaya Scheme, a free medicine distribution scheme launched by the Government of Odisha in 2015. Ravindra Pratap Singh, Managing Director of OSMCL highlights the objectives and future course of action of the corporation, in an interview with Biswajit Sahoo of Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:
Ravindra Pratap Singh
Managing Director Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL)
Q
What is the objective of OSMCL? What are its mandates?
Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL), set up as a whollyowned company of the Government of Odisha, undertakes procurement of quality drugs, medical consumables and medical equipment, instruments and furniture on behalf of Health and Family Welfare Department,
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Government of Odisha. The corporation plays a very important role in the implementation of State government’s free medicine distribution scheme ‘Niramaya’ by ensuring timely procurement of specified drugs, surgical and other medical consumables items in required quantities for the Government health facilities including state-
run Medical Colleges, 30 district headquarter hospitals (DHHs), two secondary healthcare institutions, 377 Community Health Centres (CHC) and 1350 Primary Health Centres (PHC) through a transparent and efficient procurement process. OSMCL also procures medical equipment, instruments and furniture (EIF) for health facilities. It has
37
Q
Tell us about the Niramaya scheme. How is OSMCL involved in this flagship scheme of the State government? The Government of Odisha launched Niramaya, a free medicine distribution scheme, to provide quality essential medicines for all kinds of diseases to all patients coming to government health facilities free of cost. This scheme was initiated with an objective to improve overall health indicators in the State through improved accessibility to essential medicines and healthcare, reduction of out-of-pocket expenditure for care and treatment. Under the scheme, out of 572 items
under the Essential Drug List (EDL), specified drugs are being procured centrally through OSMCL and the rest of the EDL items being procured by various health institutions locally as per their need. The items being procured by the State Medical Corporation cover the majority of the requirement of patients visiting health facilities, who get drugs free of cost through Drug Distribution Counters (DDCs). There are 495 DDCs at present. Besides, under the scheme the OSMCL is procuring anti-cancer drugs and specified programmed medicines for needs of various health sector programmes such as National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, RMNCH A+, etc. OSMCL, as per the approved Annual Procurement Plan, is procuring the items by way of e-tendering. In 2016-17, the list of drugs for centralised procurement through OSMCL for the medical college and district health facilities was 275, which has now been increased to 317. The present budget for drug procurement through OSMCL for
The Government of Odisha launched Niramaya, a free medicine distribution scheme, to provide quality essential medicines for all kinds of diseases to all patients coming to government health facilities free of cost.
2017-18 is Rs 198.10 crore. OSMCL does the supply chain management for this flagship scheme through its computerised ordering to about 189 suppliers, who supply items to 39 drug warehouses. From there, the distribution is undertaken to various health facilities after quality testing. OSMCL strives for ensuring adequate availability of required items in its drug warehouses for supply to the health facilities as per their requirements.
Q
Has OSMCL adopted any IT integrations for its operations and process management? Information technology is the backbone of the supply chain management of the drugs. Since
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
also been entrusted with the task of maintenance of medical equipment. The corporation ensures re-testing of most of the procured drugs and other items through its empanelled quality testing laboratories before distribution among patients by health facilities. It also manages the Drug Warehouses located at the medical colleges, DHHs and specialised institutions which are presently 39 in number.
38
POLICYMAKER’S perspective
Assurance System.
Q
How many patients have benefitted from the scheme so far in the State? The Niramaya free medicine distribution scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 1st May, 2015. This has been extended to all the CHCs in the State, and so far about 1.5 crore patients have benefitted from the scheme.
Q
What are future plans of OSMCL?
April 2017, OSMCL has developed its own customised IT solution called ‘e-Niramaya’ for supply chain management and other operations. Presently, it is being used for placement of orders, management of samples for quality testing and quality reports, apart from inventory management and generation of MIS reports. The system is in the process of further development and plans are there for enabling online payments. Utilisation of Operations Research tools for drug forecasting reallocation amongst drug warehouses, expiry management of drugs and optimal vehicle routing for distribution. Supplier ratings and Quality Testing Labs ratings will be further taken up through the system, along with the Equipment Procurement and Installation Management System (IMS).
Q
Which logistics and supply chain management support system is being utilised for Niramaya? For the Niramaya scheme, OSMCL is transporting medicines and other consumables to State-run health facilities through 49 vehicles equipped with GPS system. Besides, it also has transport arrangements for transporting drugs and
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
other items from the State drug warehouses located at the State capital Bhubaneswar. The dedicated vehicles transport medicines from the district headquarters to 377 Community Health Centres (CHC) once in a month. The vehicles also carry the medicines to 1,350 Primary Health Centres (PHC), other hospitals in urban areas twice in a month.
Q
This free medicines programme has been a very popular programme in Odisha now, what measures have been taken to ensure that the programme meets its objective? The doctors across the Staterun hospitals have been further sensitised and instructed by the government to prescribe medicines supplied under the Niramaya Scheme to the attending patients. A system of prescription audit has been introduced. Under this, all prescriptions received are scanned at the Drug Distribution Centres (DDC). These are later audited at the level of the head of the institutions. Measures have been taken to ensure the close involvement at all levels including the District Collectors. OSMCL is ensuring quality of the medicines through a robust Quality
OSMCL is a relatively new but a learning organisation, constantly striving to use the best practices, as well as, information technology to maintain its supply chain and towards providing quality drugs and equipment to the health facilities. It has a budget of 400 crores for 2017-18 for procurement of drugs and EIF. OSMCL has finalised the list of empanelled labs for the next two years through a stringent QCBS system, which will further ensure quality of its procurement of drugs and surgicals. An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for quality checks of equipments, instruments and furniture and the empanelment of testing agencies of furniture is in process. The corporation seeks to attract quality suppliers of drugs and medical equipment at the most competitive prices by streamlining its operations and ensuring quick payments in a transparent manner. Supplier IT interface in the e-Niramaya also enables them monitor suppliers, quality testing and payments at their level. OSMCL is in the process of upgrading warehouse facilities so as to ensure scientific and effective storage of the drugs and other medical consumables in the Drug Warehouses.
40
Innovation in Healthcare
Indian Medical Devices Industry The Next Big Thing
The Incubation Centre at IIT Patna, established with a mission to make medical technology affordable and accessible to common people, has a special focus on helping medical electronics companies to drive the growth of this sector which is heavily dependent on imports.
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
41
Factors Driving the Growth According to a recent Deloitte study, major factors driving the growth of medical electronics sector are
the increased spending capacity on healthcare due to steadily growing overall economic environment, a population which is aging, an increased disease burden in the form of communicable and chronic diseases and an increased awareness on presentation.
Innovation in Healthcare
I
ndia is a rapidly growing healthcare market. While pharma sector dominates the overall healthcare market in India, the medical electronics devices sector, which is a sub-section of the medical devices industry, is relatively small with its contribution at less than six per cent market share. However, the scenario is evolving in recent years with the medical electronics market in India, estimated to be at $7 billion by 2020, expected to be very attractive for Indian and international manufacturers alike.
Opportunities and Challenges Despite the promising state of the market, the Indian healthcare environment remains highly dependent on imports. “According to a US-based study, 75 per cent of the medical devices market is import oriented. The major challenges for the medical electronics startup companies in India are the availability of the equipment and laboratories specifically aimed at medical devices along with expert advice from medical and technology domain. In an entrepreneurial environment heavily inclined towards IT/ITes and e-commerce sectors, startup companies in medical electronics struggle to survive. Incubation Centre IIT Patna The Government of India, under its “Make in India� initiative, is giving tremendous support to Indian companies in the medical devices manufacturing sector. IIT Patna, with a mission to make medical technology affordable and accessible to common people, approached Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with a proposal to establish a Technology Business Incubator having a special focus on medical electronics. With matching funds from the Government of Bihar, Incubation Centre, IIT Patna, has now become a reality. Located at the IIT Patna campus, the incubator is all set to onboard more companies.
IIT Patna, with a mission to make medical technology affordable and accessible to common people, approached Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with a proposal to establish a Technology Business Incubator having a special focus on medical electronics.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
42
industry perspective
Patient at the Centre India Virtual Hospital (IVH) Patient Education Programme is a step in the direction to bring back the focus on patient care in the Indian healthcare arena, says Rai Umraopati Ray, CoFounder and Lead, Patient Education, India Virtual Hospital, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Rai Umraopati Ray
Co-Founder and Lead, Patient Education, India Virtual Hospital
Q
Tell us about India Virtual Hospital (IVH) Patient Education Programme? People are healthiest when they want to care for themselves. People are healthiest when they know how to care for themselves. People are healthiest when they care for themselves. To help patients know how to care for themselves well is at the heart of good health. India Virtual Hospital (IVH) Patient Education Programme is a step in this direction to bring back the focus on patient care in the Indian healthcare arena.
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
With the help of our unique patient education module, we want our patients to see us as partners working to find the best solutions to fit their individual needs.
Q
What are the key objectives of the programme?
The core objectives of IVH Patient Education Programme include enabling patients to assume responsibility for their own health care; increasing patient trust, satisfaction, and loyalty; increasing opportunities for treatment
acceptance; ensuring continuity of care between appointments; helping patients decide the best plan of action; improving communication between patients and doctors; and providing patients with the opportunity to practice prevention techniques at home.
Q
Can you elaborate on the content strategy of this unique pragramme? The programme’s content strategy has been developed involving all relevant stakeholders of healthcare
43
Under the Medical and Research category, we have collaborated with healthcare professionals like doctors, academicians, health writers, bloggers, domain experts, etc. to write authentic credible content on specific diseases, prevention metrics, care, various aspects of patient treatment journey, newer developments and technologies. The idea is to create a repository of right and relevant healthcare information in a simple language that can be accessed by patients and their family members to strengthen their decision making process. Segments like What Doc Not and Disease Factor provide customised information on diseases and treatment options available at best of the healthcare centres. The Experiential and Inspirational
section is interesting and interactive, where we encourage the patient community at large and their family members to share the experiences of their patient treatment journey, feedback about the stakeholders involved, challenges and positives and their opinion on how to improve the patient care process. These stories by real patients may act as an inspiration for other similar patients and may help them improve their treatment journey. In due course of time, this section will facilitate patients to interact with each other, share their inputs and become a support system for each other. The Healthcare News and Developments section contains general news where any news relevant for patients and healthcare fraternity are curated nationally and internationally. We run regular contests, events, polls to engage with people. There are discussions and debates on policy issues, insurance matters and other topics that interest patients.
Under the Medical and Research category, we have collaborated with healthcare professionals like doctors, academicians, health writers, bloggers, domain experts, etc.
Q
What are your future plans?
Our upcoming segment Patient Likewise Me will have diseasespecific patient groups for patients to interact and learn from similar patient groups. We are also creating a unique segment, IVH Happiness Index, a platform for ‘psychological rehabilitation of patients. Through IVH Patient Education Programme, we are striving to achieve shared decision making, improve understanding and adherence, motivate, and encourage self-management. To achieve this goal, we have to be effective patient educators and work well with other health providers who share this role.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
industry perspective
fraternity. Largely the modules are being generated under three broad categories -- Medical and Research, Experiential and Inspirational, and Healthcare News and developments.
44
industry perspective
Adani Wilmar
Making India A Healthy Growing Nation Adani Wilmar Limited is firm on its belief of embarking on research-led innovations at regular intervals. Be it the company’s unique rice bran oil or its recently introduced brand for diabetes care VIVO, both the initiatives aim to promote a healthy lifestyle among customers, says TK Kannan, CEO, Adani Wilmar Limited, in an interview with Poulami Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN).
T K Kannan CEO Adani Wilmar Limited
Q
Please elaborate on the journey of Fortune as a premium food brand in India. Fortune has become India’s top cooking oil brand – a feat it accomplished in just 22 months of its launch in 2000, and has retained its position ever since. This rapid acceleration was achieved by a string of strategic moves that disrupted conventional thinking and rewrote the rules for the category. Today, through more than 40 units spread across the country, the brand reaches 30 million households and sells through one million retail outlets. To consolidate its status in the Indian kitchen, Fortune has now launched
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
several staples and pulses – each bearing its stamp of excellence.
Q
What is your opinion about the food and public distribution sector in India? The food and public distribution sector is playing a very critical role in India in ensuring food security through timely and efficient procurement and distribution of foodgrains. It is encouraging to see the reach of this sector among the masses. However, instances of hunger are prevalent despite overflowing granaries. As an FMCG firm, we have always tried to reach each and every consumer with superior quality
products at affordable prices.
Q
What are the key challenges you have faced in the Indian food market? Since the time of our inception and foray into the edible oil sector, it has been quite challenging for us to educate the consumers about the benefits of buying branded products. India is a huge market and we still find huge difference between packed and loose products, which in turn usually results in unhygienic, substandard and adulterated products. Another key challenge is competing
45
Q
Elaborate on the scope of growth for the Fortune brand in the next five years in India? The company is firm in its belief of embarking on research-led innovations at regular intervals. Be it our unique rice bran oil or our recently introduced brand for diabetes care VIVO, both the initiatives aim to enhance the healthy lifestyle of customers. With the introduction of these innovative brands, the company promises to continue progressing on the path of research-based innovative concepts. For us, well-being of people is of utmost importance and, therefore, we adhere to stringent quality norms and ensure products that are at par with quality standards. One of our food products, besan, is made up of 100 per cent chana dal and gives testimony of our commitment to quality.
Q
What are the market expansion plans in pipeline for Fortune and Adani Wilmar? The company has a strong inclination towards entering into the gamut of the essential food products that are used in the Indian kitchens. From just an oil company, we are successfully moving towards becoming a food company by launching rice, besan and soya nuggets. In oil, we have introduced a variety of healthy oil brands like Fortune Rice bran Health and Fortune Vivo, which have been specially created for diabetic care. Further, we also have plan to launch wheat flour and are simultaneously working on to bring blended oils into the market very soon. At Adani Wilmar, we always strive to live up to our promise of creating ‘A Healthy Growing Nation’ and embark on various initiatives for the ever-changing consumer expectations.
In oil, we have introduced a variety of healthy oil brands like Fortune Rice bran Health and Fortune Vivo, which have been specially created for diabetic care. Further, we also have plan to launch wheat flour and are simultaneously working on to bring blended oils into the market very soon.
Q
The Government of India has adopted the ‘Digital India’ initiative as a key project to promote digitisation. Would you share with us, if you are also contributing to this? It is evident that digitisation is the key to success. It is extremely crucial to match your speed with
the changing time and digitisation helps you to do that. We keep ourselves aligned with the market trend and simultaneously keep our eyes open to the changing consumer trends. This has been possible due to digitisation. Our Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy helps in developing a better understanding of the existing business structure and its relevance to new products. It also identifies capability gaps across the chain. We are the first to introduce this technology in the edible oil industry in India. An optimum use of technology is made under the GTM strategy by recently rolling out SFA and DMS technology across 40 cities in the country. The plans are afoot to cover 40 cities in next three months.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
industry perspective
with various brands at regional level that do not follow proper taxation norms, FSSAI requirements, etc, which in turn makes them cheaper compared to us. In such situations, we have held to our commitment of serving our consumers with quality products. Moreover, there is an inconsistent supply of domestic oils and to cope with that is extremely critical.
46
industry perspective
Explained: What Technology has in Store for Healthcare Industry Companies with an innovation edge will have a robust competitive advantage. But in order to do that, they must first know what the technological advancements on the anvil are and plan accordingly, writes Dr Vishal Rajgarhia, Marketing Director Finecure Pharmaceuticals.
Dr Vishal Rajgarhia
Marketing Director Finecure Pharmaceuticals
T
he healthcare sector is one industry where any advancement, process change, brought upon by technological advancements, has an intense impact on the health and healthcare methods of millions of people. For years, health and pharma industries have trod a familiar conventional path. But with a rapidly changing marketplace with innovative advancements, it has become mandatory for the industry for keeping pace with the innovations that are reshaping the face of the industry. Experts predict that the Indian pharmaceutical market has the
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
potential to double over the next four years and triple over the next decade, but it is facing stiff competition from countries like Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, China, Brazil and Turkey. Unless India’s pharmaceuticals industry realises that its current systems are both economically unsustainable and operationally incapable of matching the high standards of its competitors, and that unless it changes the way it operates and adopts growth opportunities by embracing innovative methods, chances of it realising the imminent growth is not very promising.
What the pharma industry must keep in mind is that the reason why they need to innovate and change their fundamental embryonic style of operation is that healthcare is changing dramatically. Furthermore, given the soaring graph of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and other chronic ailments, healthcare is shifting its emphasis from treatment to prevention and the traditional healthcare model, having outlived its utility, will have to make way for a new world order. If the Indian pharmaceutical industry wants its share of the pie, it must not only match its competitors
47
Companies with an innovation edge will have a robust competitive advantage. But in order to do that, they must first know what the technological advancements on the anvil are and plan accordingly. Adopting new technology does not come cheap. The challenge of bringing new innovative products into the markets can put revenues under huge pressure and can gravely impact bottom lines if preparedness is inadequate or improper. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to understand what the future holds so that it remains relevant in the world markets and also remains financially viable. To my mind, these are some of the technological innovations that will impact and influence the industry over the next decade. Today medical services -- thanks to smart phones and other devices -- have brought healthcare to an individual’s doorstep. Technology has been developed, in which a patient’s heart rate can be monitored from where he is and the information is sent to a smart phone from where it can be relayed to a particular healthcare provider. This means that real time data will be available to pharma companies to use the information to study usefulness and compliance. Diagnosing patients has been one of the biggest drawbacks and downside of proper and speedy treatment. Such data will hasten up the process of treatment.
The moment you ask it to, it will monitor and diagnose all your health parameters and actually relay them to your health provider. Sounds like science fiction? But technology has actually invented a machine that can be held ‘aapkimuthimein,’ and it can accurately diagnose 13 health conditions on its own, without the individual having to visit a clinic or a hospital. Innovative healthcare systems are commencing even at medical schools and 3D medical technology is enabling doctors to study anatomy without having to cut open a cadaver. Through holographic images wouldbe doctors can view and interact with organs and human tissues just as if they were real tangible objects. Since cadavers were not very easy to procure, studying through pictures was a prevalent practice in many medical colleges, but the imaging technology is such that it seems that they are actually touching, feeling and exploring with real body parts. Today 3D technology has entered the healthcare industry in a big way and is being widely used to make specific personalised prosthetics and dental implants. Now, it is making its presence felt in healthcare also. In the advanced world of specialised
healthcare where the patient’s demands have become more precise and specific, standard doses, or one size fits all, will not be acceptable anymore because all patients do not respond to the same dose in a similar fashion. 3D technology will enable doctors to analyse a patient’s personal data and decide on the exact dosage required. This technology has the potential to create a personalised medicine for a patient so that instead of swallowing a number of pills each day for different ailments, he or she will be able to swallow just one pill that has all the ingredients that the patient needs. 3D profiles help to study a drug once it is inside a patient and analyse how much time it takes to break down. This will eventually lead to making pharma products that are more exact and specific to the needs of the patients. One path-breaking new technology that is in its experimental stages could change healthcare totally and greatly lessen the use of oral medicine. Doctors are researching the possibility of implanting miniaturised, implantable devices into the body. These devices would be automated
Today, modern devices are in the process of developing technology that will help define and diagnose illnesses in seconds. Just imagine having a small portable, wireless device in the palm of your hand.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
industry perspective
but stay one step ahead.
48
industry perspective
to detect the electrical signals that nerves give out and help standardise and modify signal impulses that that could otherwise lead to many diseases. Doctors say that they are very near to trying out this new technology especially for patients suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Emerging technologies are changing patients and medical care provider interactions. Today there are very few hospitals that still interconnect with paper. Records and data are almost entirely on digital systems. Earlier a patient, owing to lacuna in the communication systems, would endure long periods of waiting before all the concerned factors, from his medical insurance provider, to the pharma companies, to doctors were all linked up together. Today there are digital platforms available that provide patient information simultaneously to all stake holders, saving on time, effort and money. What the future holds for the healthcare industry and all its stake holders, primarily the pharma industry, is very exciting and stimulating to conceptualise. It’s a fast moving industry and the growth potential is enormous. Technology induced changes will change its face forever. With innovation bringing
healthcare to a patient’s doorstep it is but a certainty that pharmaceutical companies will open direct-topatient distribution avenues and stockists and wholesalers will become obsolete. Furthermore, since the pharma companies will deal directly with the patients they will start offering total health packages in collaboration with healthcare providers. This will lead to considerable transparency and pharmaceutical companies will have to seriously consider lowering their prices. There is a lot for the healthcare industry to look forward to. There are exciting days ahead. From leveraging big data to interacting on social media technology can be used to heal people quickly, correctly and at a lesser cost. Social
networking is enabling doctors to collaborate with one another, and help each other with difficult cases, irrespective of where they are in the world.Not only does it enable doctors to talk to one another even during ongoing surgery, it has even made it possible for patients to take consultations online. So a patient sitting in Ahmedabad can seek medical consultation from a hospital in Chicago. It’s like having a super specialist in your pocket. There is little doubt that new advancements in technology is providing a huge boost to the healthcare industry and all its stakeholders. This technology has come out from its experimental stages and is likely to make its presence felt in big way that will alter the face of the health care industry forever. The time is not too far away when patients will not need to make expensive and unnecessary trips to their doctors, but will be diagnosed and treated online. Pharma companies will make products tailor-made for patients and deal with them directly. It is becoming increasing clear that modern technology is expanding the boundaries of healthcare and we are all entering a fascinating new era of healthcare.
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
SUBSCRIPTION ORDER CARD Duration (Year)
Issues
Subscription USD
Newsstand Price INR
Subscription Price INR
Savings
1
12
$300
900
`900
--
2 3
24 36
$500 $750
1800 2700
`1500 `2000
`300 `700
I would like to subscribe
Please fill this form in CAPITAL LETTERS First Name .................................................................................................. Last Name ............................................................................................................... Designation/Profession .......................................................................... Organisation ........................................................................................................... Mailing address ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... City .............................................................................................................. Postal code ............................................................................................................. State ............................................................................................................ Country .................................................................................................................... Telephone ................................................................................................... Fax ............................................................................................................................ Email ........................................................................................................... Website ................................................................................................................... I/We would like to subscribe for
1
2
3
Years
I am enclosing a cheque/DD No.* ................................................ Drawn on ............................................................................. (Specify Bank) Dated .................................................................................................... in favour of Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., payable at New Delhi. For `/US $ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ only *Please make cheque/dd in favour of Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., payable at New Delhi Subscription Terms & Conditions: Payments for mailed subscriptions are only accepted via cheque or demand draft • Cash payments may be made in person • Please add `50 for outstation cheque • Allow four weeks for processing of your subscription • International subscription is inclusive of postal charges.
YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE ONLINE
eletsonline.com/subscriptions
Contact: Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd — Stellar IT Park, Office No: 7A/7B, 5th Floor, Annexe Building, C-25, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, Phone: +91-120-4812600 Fax: +91-120-4812660, Email: subscription@elets.in
50
Company Profile GlaxoSmithKline puts people at the heart of everything they do. The company is committed to meeting the unmet and under-served healthcare needs of India through leadership in affordable pricing and the highest level of compliance standards in the industry.
GlaxoSmithkline
Meeting India’s Unmet Healthcare Needs september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
51
Product Portfolio and Manufacturing Facilities
An Overview of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a purpose to help people do more, feel better, live longer. We have world-leading businesses that research, develop and manufacture innovative pharmaceutical medicines and vaccines. The Vision We put people at the heart of everything we do, with the goal of benefitting more patients in the future. We are committed to meeting the unmet and under-served
Leveraging science to enhance the quality of life, we have an extensive product portfolio that includes prescription medicines and vaccines. We have our existing manufacturing site at Nashik, Maharashtra and an upcoming manufacturing facility at Vemgal, Karantaka. We currently produce over 1,000 crore tablets and capsules and over 40 lakh doses of vaccines to serve patients across the country. With the completion of our state-of-the-art facility at Vemgal, we will have the capacity to produce over 9 billion tablets and capsules a year to serve more patients in India. Future Plans At GSK, we are preparing for the future landscape of healthcare in the country to fulfill our commitment
Leveraging science to enhance the quality of life, we have an extensive product portfolio that includes prescription medicines and vaccines.
to serve more patients. In an era of increasing price control and rising compliance standards, we are putting in place long-term measures to secure reliable supply that will enable us to reach more patients. We are committed to increase disease awareness through the dissemination of high-quality scientific knowledge. We are also committed to bring cutting-edge innovative products of the future to our patients from our global pipeline. Stress on Quality Our leading focus continues, as always, as we put in place high standards, new ways ofworking and launching new products. We will continue to emphasise strong execution of our growth strategies and our legacy of caring for our patients. These will continue to be the priorities around which we build a legacy for the future.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
Company Profile
healthcare needs of India through leadership in affordable pricing and the highest level of compliance standards in the industry. Our goal is to leverage the power of science through new innovations in both preventive and curative healthcare and we are a leader in many therapeutic areas where we provide healthcare solutions.
52
industry perspective
A Food
with Honest Approach ‘Honest’ believes in having a crystal clear relation between the customer and the brand. It believes in keeping an honest approach to satisfy its customers with freshly cooked food by using 100 per cent pure spices and standardised ingredients, says Vijay R. Gupta, Founder and Promoter of Honest Group, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Vijay R Gupta Founder and Promoter Honest Group
Q
Please take us through your journey in serving the food industry. Way back in 1966, Honest was started when my father set up a small chaat kiosk at Law Garden, Ahmedabad. Moving ahead with zest to provide quality food in a pocket-friendly segment, he and his brothers introduced paavbhaji and vegetable pulao to the kiosk. Since then, we have not looked back and have been setting up new benchmarks in the food sector. Moving with an ideology to keep people together and attain growth by making others grow, Honest has attained growth by firm grip on the food sector and has forayed into segments like street vending, mall restaurants
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
(food courts), fine dining restaurant, three-star restaurant, travel dining restaurants (highways), railway stations, bistros and bakery.
Q
Honest has been a known name in the food sector for its persistent quality and taste. What has been the secret for retaining the consistency for almost a century now? The brand believes in being economical, fast and the best. Honest is committed to providing high quality food to the customers and its success mantra has always been empowering its employees. As the name indicates, our ideology is to have a crystal clear relation
between the customer and the brand. It believes in keeping an honest approach to satisfy its customers with freshly cooked food by using 100 per cent pure spices and standardised ingredients.
Q
What marketing initiatives do Honest Reveira has undertaken to keep the brand value a level above the rest? We do not believe in marketing. We believe in the word of mouth publicity by our valued customers.
Q
What expansion plans do you have in the pipeline? Please throw some light on your presence across the globe. We don’t plan. We work according
industry perspective
Brand
53
to the requirement of brand and take this brand where there is a need of good and quality food.
Q
What challenges did you face in your years of operation?
We have faced challenges like inflation, uncertain changes in economy, legal issues and natural calamities.
Q
Please share with us the vision of the brand.
We endeavour to excel in providing fresh food to the patrons with personalised customer service. We also make efforts to make our employees potential employers by empowering and promoting them to higher levels.
The brand believes in being economical, fast and the best. Honest is committed to providing high quality food to the customers and its success mantra has always been empowering its employees.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
54
special feature
Karnataka’s Anganwadi Women to Have ‘Matru Purna Scheme’
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with a group of Anganwadi workers.
Come October 2017, pregnant and lactating poor women in rural areas will get one nutritious meal every day. The Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Karnataka, is set to launch “Mathru Purna”, a scheme meant to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas, writes T Radhakrishna of Elets News Network (ENN).
September 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
T
he scheme will provide them with meals that will include rice, dal or sambar, green vegetables, pulses, egg and groundnut-jaggery chikki. Those who don’t eat eggs will be given two kinds of sprouts. “We have planned the meal on the basis of the nutrition index. The idea is to improve maternal health that will have a direct impact on the
child’s nutrition. This will help curb child malnutrition, the single biggest contributor to under-five mortality,” said Deepa M Cholan, Director, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The scheme will be implemented through anganwadis in the State. Each meal is estimated to cost Rs 21. The food will be provided for 15 months, from the start of pregnancy
55
About the Scheme Under Mathru Pushtivardhini Scheme, the State had provided micro nutrients to pregnant and lactating women in backward taluks at a cost of Rs 42 crore under National Health Mission (NHM) during 2016-17 financial year. During 2017-18 budget, the State government extended the scheme of Matru Poorna Scheme to all 30 districts and allocated a budget of Rs 302 crore effective July 2017. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the scheme during the Independence Day speech in 2016, the scheme is being taken up in the State. “The free meals will take into consideration each beneficiary’s food preference. Local anganwadis will have the freedom to alter the diet in case the stipulated items aren’t easily available in the region,” the director said. Preparations are in full swing to implement the scheme on October 2, 2017 at all anganwadi centres in the State. The State Government has provided grants for procuring utensils and gas cylinder for cooking food at anganwadis. Integrated Child Development Anganwadi is a type of rural mother and child care centre in India. They were started by the Indian Government in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services Programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition. A typical Anganwadi centre provides basic healthcare in Indian villages. It is a part of the Indian public health care system.
Basic health care activities include contraceptive counseling and supply, nutrition education and supplementation, as well as preschool activities. The centres may be used as depots for oral rehydration salts, basic medicines and contraceptives. According to available information, as many as 13.3 lakh Anganwadi and mini-Anganwadi centres (AWCs/ mini-AWCs) are operational out of 13.7 lakh sanctioned AWCs/ mini-AWCs, as of January 31, 2013. These centres provide supplementary nutrition, non-formal preschool education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-up and referral services of which later three services are provided in convergence with public health systems. The basic job of Anganwadi workers is extremely important and needs to be carried out in the most efficient manner possible. They need to provide care for newborn babies and ensure that all children below the age of six are immunised. They are expected to provide antenatal care for pregnant women and ensuring that they are immunised against Tetanus. In addition to this, they provide postnatal care to nursing mothers. Since they primarily focus on poor and malnourished groups, they provide supplementary nutrition to children below the age of six and nursing and pregnant women. They ensure that regular health and medical check-ups for women 15-49 years old take place and that all women and children have access to these check-ups. They work toward providing preschool education to children who are between three and five years old.
The scheme will be implemented through anganwadis in the State. Each meal is estimated to cost Rs 21. The food will be provided for 15 months, from the start of pregnancy up to six months after delivery.
Scheme Outlook The Anganwadi workers who implement this scheme would be given an addwitional honorarium of Rs 500 and the assistants would be given Rs 250 and in mini Anganwadi centres. Dr Lokesh, District Commissioner and District Magistrate, Shimoga District, says, “Under the scheme, Rs 21 would be spent for each beneficiary. Tender would be called for purchasing utensils at the taluka level. Currently, as many as 25,319 beneficiaries including 12,403 pregnant women have been identified in the district for this scheme.” If the pregnant women are suffering from weakness, the scheme would help improve the health of both mothers and children. The nutritious food would provide more than 40% nutrition including protein and calcium that a pregnant woman requires per day. Compared to South Indian States, the health index of mothers and children of the State is poor. If the scheme is implemented effectively, state of mothers and children could be improved considerably, said Dr Lokesh.
ehealth.eletsonline.com | september 2017
special feature
up to six months after delivery.
56
Company Profile
Das Pendawala
Where Quality & Innovation Drive Growth Das Pendawala has faced many challenges since its inception about 100 years ago and has emerged out victorious. It is very rare to find a setup like this where the centralised production facility provides sweets to shops that are at a distance of as long as 400 km.
The Making of a Brand The year 1918 marked the beginning of a new era in sweets making in Savarkundla of Amreli district, Gujarat. It was the same year when Vanmalidas Devchand started a milk and ‘penda’ shop, which soon became famous as Das Pendawala. The ethnic roots of the company are very deep. In 1937, a quality certificate was awarded to Das Pendawala for their sweets and penda by the then ruler of Bhavnagar, Krishnakumar Sinhji, as part of his efforts to promote Indian or local products. Baiju S Mehta, a family member recounts, “In the year 1974 we started a shop in Bhavnagar and today Das Pendawala is a private limited company having one shop in Savarkundla, five shop in Bhavnagar, two in Ahmedabad, one in Vadodara, two in Surat and still counting.” Next year Das Pendawala will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Scaling Up The reason for ‘penda’ being among the most famous sweet items in Saurashtra region of Gujarat include geographical and weather conditions. Dry weather gives mava (khoa) longer life. In addition to this, the quality of milk is very high because of the cattle of this region being fed highly nutritious cotton seeds and food prepared from groundnut residue. Das Pendawala has faced many challenges since its inception but has emerged out victorious. It is rare to
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
Vanmalidas Mehta (left) and Chunilal Mehta (right) Founders of Das Pendawala find a setup like this where the centralised production facility provides sweets to shops located even at a distance of 400 km. Consistency in quality is the pillar on which the existence of this firm stands. The penda you have today goes through a quality assurance test. It tastes the same every time you eat it. They also offer a wide range of sweets, bakery products and ‘namkeens’ including the famous Bhavnagri Gathiya. All in the Family Das Pendawala, the Bhavnagar-based chain of sweet shop launched in 1918, has today grown into the largest chain of its kind run by the fourth generation of the Das family
58
Company Profile
successfully, and fifth generation is all geared up to join family business. The family is involved in the business and its growth by inculcating new ideas and technologies. This is a natural outcome of having highlyqualified family members with degrees like Mechanical Engineering, Chartered Accountancy, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Computer Application, Law, etc. Modernisation The production facility of Das Pendawala is spread over two acres and has the latest machinery. Though in theory, there is no change in penda making process that was initiated in 1918, modernisation of process has been the key of Das Pendawala’s success. With automisation of penda
making and packaging, that can increase the shelf-life of product up to three months, the company is leaving no stone unturned to adopt new technology. Usually a sweet which you take home has to be consumed within two to three days. But if you buy Das Pendawala sweet, you can relish it whenever you wish within three months of purchase, that too without compromising on the taste, texture or flavour. The company has collaborated with an Italian company to provide a better shelf-life to sweets and its investment in research and development in this space has paid off.
The production facility of Das Pendawala is spread over two acres and has the latest machinery. Though in theory there is no change in penda making process that was initiated in 1918, modernisation of process has been the key of Das Pendawala’s success.
Each sweet at Das Pendawala is handcrafted individually, something no one has ever done before.
Das Pendawala, the largest chain of its kind, is now being run by the fourth generation of the Das family.
september 2017 | ehealth.eletsonline.com
3rd
November 2017, Jaipur