Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has released a budget of Rs 10 thousand crore for biopharma.
In the budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made a big announcement for biologic medicine. These are those medicines which are used in cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. Keeping this in mind, the Finance Minister released a budget of Rs 10 thousand crore for biopharma in the health sector. The name Biopharma Shakti has been used for this. Here SHAKTI means Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation.
The Finance Minister has said in the budget, non-communicable diseases are increasing in India. This includes diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Biologic medicine works to control these diseases. Biologic medicine proves to be effective in improving longevity and life at low cost. Now in the budget, there is a plan to increase the manufacturing of such medicines by increasing the scope of biopharma. Know what biologic medicine is, where it is used and why it is difficult to make it.
What is biologic medicine?
Biologic medicine is a little different from other medicines. These are medicines that are made from bacteria, yeast, animal or human cells. These contain complex molecules like proteins, antibodies, hormones or vaccines. These are developed in the lab through biotechnology. Usually this medicine is in the form of injection.
Biologic medicines include blood, plasma, tissue, bone graft, vaccines, immunotherapy, insulin therapy, stem cell therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy and biologic DMARDs.
How and where are these medicines used?
- Vaccine: It prevents infectious diseases. Globally, many diseases have been completely eliminated through vaccines. Like polio. Vaccines played an important role in fighting global pandemics like Covid-19.
- Blood and Plasma: They are used in situations when there is lack of blood in the body. Or such a special kind of disease in which transfusion of blood and plasma becomes necessary. Like blood disorders, blood cancer and neurological disorders.
- Gene Therapy-Immunotherapy: Biologics have proven to be very effective in the treatment of cancer. It affects diseases like cancer in many ways. This includes gene therapy, stem cell therapy and immunotherapy.
- Controls auto-immune diseases: Biologic controls chronic inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. It also controls pain.
How difficult is it to make?
Compared to other medicines, biologic medicines are difficult to make. This is because it is prepared from humans and living beings. Its molecules are complex. It cannot be used like normal medicines. Small changes related to this are very sensitive. This is the reason why it takes more time to reach the market compared to other medicines. That’s why they are also expensive.
Most biologics are given as injections. Some are given as IV infusion. Most people have no reaction, but the injection may cause reactions such as pain, swelling or skin rashes. Some people may feel fever or nausea. Most reactions are mild, and you may not have any reaction at all.
Many announcements have been made to increase medical tourism in India.
How will it become a gamechanger?
India is preparing to increase the scope of biologic medicine by boosting biopharma power. If biologic production increases in the country then medicines will become cheaper. Dependence on imports will reduce. Biotech startups will be promoted and high-skilled jobs will be created. The government has already talked about promoting medical tourism in India. This means that the number of people coming to India from other countries for treatment will increase. This will give impetus to the economy.
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