Hyderabad : Global leader in Open Access Journals Publishing and the largest International Scientific Conference organizer, OMICS International Inc., organised  three Global Conferences “Agri-2014”, “Biosimilars 2014” and “Pharmacovigilance-2014”” here in city at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad .  The three conferences were formally inaugurated one after the other today morning. The three global meets are attended by 900 plus delegates from 9 countries such as Nigeria, China, USA, UK, Egypt and many other countries.

The “3rd International Conference and Expo on Agriculture and Horticulture 2014” is organised with the theme “Novel Strategies & Innovations in Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences”; “3rd International Conference and Expo on Biowaivers, Biologics and Biosimilars 2014” with the theme “Current Challenges and Opportunities in Cost Effective and Affordable Biosimilars” and “3rd International Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials 2014”  with “Safer Drugs to Market by Analyzing Latest Developments in Pharmacovigilance, Drug Safety and Risk Management” as its theme.

Adverse Drug Reactions(ADRs) are estimated to cause 5-7% of all hospital admissions. In the past fifty years 150 drugs have been taken back from the market due to adverse reactions informed Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, MD while giving his welcome address at the inauguration of Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Trials 2014, global meet.

ADRs are responsible for death of 50 out of 1000 patients admitted . There is a strong  need  felt to monitor the effect of drugs after its launch in the market said Dr. Srinubabu Gedela. Pharmacovigilance is the science that refers to detection, understanding and prevention of adverse drug reactions.  India should concentrate on Pharmacovigilance on Ayurvedic and Traditional Medicine along with regular pharmaceuticals because these medicines are available only in India.  No proper records are maintained on these therapeutics even though they are extensively used in India Dr. Srinubabu Gedela said.  India is a vast country and has lot of drug brands,  more than 10,000 licensed drug manufacturers and over one lakh branded formulations.  Many new drugs are being introduced. We are emerging a Clinical Trial Hub in the World., he said.

Based on importance Govt of India incorporated 60 ADR Centers under Pharmacovigilance Program of India(PVPI). Unfortunately no center is available in Telangana and AP. 1 or 2 ADR monitoring Centers required in Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam said Prof. Dr. K.C. Singhal, Founder and Patron of The Society of Pharmacovigilance, India. The Society of Pharmacovigilance, India (SoPI), is an Indian national non-profit scientific organisation, which aims at organizing training programmes and providing expertise in pharmacovigilance and enhance all aspects of the safe and proper use of medicines. It was initially funded by WHO. Established 14 years ago, has about 450 members.   The International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) granted status of ‘associated society’ to Society of Pharmacovigilance India (SoPI). It is the second professional society in the world after ISoP.

Speaking on Pharmacovigilance of Drugs of Indian System of Medicine, he said 65 to 80% world population use traditional medicine. Hence, Pharmacovigilance of Indian System of Medicine is a must.  Government must penalize hospitals who do not report adverse drug reactions.  The Society of Pharmacovigilance, India is meeting on 1st of November at Aligarh to come up with recommendations. Every medical college must have an ADR Center to begin with and then it must be spread to all big corporate, private and district hospitals.  Regular meetings with experts and release of Adverse Drug Reports must take place, which is currently is not  happening he said.

He also said the current 60 ADR Centers needs to be energized.   Codeine, a cough syrup needs to be taken back from market as it is causing adverse reactions.

Earlier speaking at the inauguration of Agriculture and Horticulture 2014, Mr. Mohan Kanda, Former Chief Secretary and Member of National Disaster Management Agency said Agriculture as an occupation is loosing appeal  and it is a worldwide phenomenon. There is a lack of attachment to the land.  Even after Liberalisation, Globalisation and Privitasation, the status of farmers is not improved.  They are beginning to loose confidence in the system. India stands 136th position in the Human Development Index.  Once upon a time in India everything used to wait for the Agriculture, but that is not so now, he said.

Speaking further quoting John Fisher, Spatial Scientist, he said world needs 70% more food by 2050 Without improving yields, that 70% increase in food would require over 34,000,000 km2 of new farmland, an area larger than the entire continent of Africa, he said.

Now what is farmer requires is guarantee to his investment in cultivation.  Let any multicoloured revolutions come, unless farmers’ investment is guaranteed, farming will not improve.  Unless we do new, different, useful things, nothing is going to change.  Why cant we have Cabinet Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and give Farmers the wholesome advise, instead different advises coming from different directions, each one contradicting with the other, said Mr. Mohan Kanda.

Speaking at the inguration at Agri meet Dr. Srinubabu Gedela said at 157.35 million hectares, India holds the second largest agricultural land globally. All the 15 major climates are found in India. The country possesses 45 of the 60 soil types in the world.

Speaking at Biosimilars meet experts observed that Biosimilars are typically marketed at price of 30-50% less of original branded  products.  It is estimated that the potential savings in the US from just 11 biosimilars over the time of period from 2014 to 2024 could be $ 250 billion(Rs 15 lakh crore)

Many biologics have come off patent or will soon come off patent.  Hundred plus patents are expected to go off globally in the year 2015, providing a lucrative global opportunity to upcoming companies in this sector said Dr. Srinubabu Gedela.  Across countries, China and India are considered attractive destinations for R&D outsourcing of foreign biosimilars manufacturing companies that look to reduce their growing R&D costs and increase the number of drug applications and approvals.  In 2000, the first ‘similar biologic” was approved and marketed in India for hepatitis B vaccine. In recent years, over 50 biopharmaceutical products have been approved for marketing in India from 20 companies with more than half of them being “similar biologics”  said Dr. Srinubabu Gedela.

Along with the three global meets an exhibition is also orgaised. Some of the exhibitors include: Doctor of Pharmacy Association, India; Association of Pharmacy Professionals; National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM); Cytel Statistical software & services Pvt. Ltd; Karthikeya Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd; Springer, India; Norwich Clinical Services and Pragati Resorts