Narendra Modi should seek technology transfer in pharma, says Ron Somers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak about the need for US companies to transfer technologies during his US visit, to expand access to health care and medicines, Ron Somers, former president of the US-India Business Council, has said.

In an email interview to Business Today, Somers, who also founded consulting firm India First Group, LLC, shared his expectations of US and Indian pharmaceutical companies from Modi's visit to the US. Somers has just launched what he calls a "Coalition for Affordable Care" to enhance collaboration between US and Indian companies to produce high-quality, low-cost drugs and devices to enable affordable health care access .

He says the US pharmaceutical sector comprises multiple camps with some employing "counterproductive" tactics while others are pursuing pro-India strategies. "Branded MNC pharmaceutical will be looking for assurances on IP protection and on issuance of patents in India. But there are tactics being employed by this group which are counterproductive, such as the anti-India campaign that has been mounted by this group.

On the other hand, there are innovators like Abbott and Gilead that are pursuing pro-India strategies, transferring technology and expanding access to medicines at affordable prices. Their commitment to India will hopefully be borne out. Will India issue patents based on science, so long as issues of price, 'Make in India', and access are attended to? I certainly hope so."

Somers says the tactics being employed by some branded MNC drug companies are unhelpful. "For example, how can it be possible to have a dialogue on this matter, when the other side is calling for investigations, attempting to unilaterally downgrade India, impose sanctions. This approach is not helpful. My view is that, yes, we are all in favour of strong IP protections. We believe in innovation and technology, and the need to reward and protect discovery. We want a thousand Silicon Valleys to bloom in India... But we also must appreciate the need to expand access and price medicines so they are affordable to the common man."

Pointing out that US companies must transfer technology to develop India's indigenous health care capability, he said that Modi, in his earlier role as chief minister, had been a champion of these concepts.

Somers said Modi should reiterate that technology and innovation are essential components to India's growth story and future.

"To gain access to technology and to create an environment that will spur innovation, the PM should openly acknowledge that IP must be rewarded and protected. Patents and patent protection are an essential bond that will ensure this. He should convey these points. But he also should speak about the need for companies to transfer technologies, so as to expand access to health care and medicines. Market-based pricing, achieved through local partnerships, not government price caps, is the way to achieve this."