The face of MNC drug firms in India and champion of IPR protection, he oversaw the Swiss giant's India expansion, its forays into new therapies and setting up of its global service centre in Hyderabad
Financial pressure on the parent company triggered the move.
The company will continue to introduce products in the country, but not invest in R&D here, Novartis India Ltd Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Shahani said at a press conference in Mumbai.
Aurobindo pharma, cipla, orchid chemicals are the prominent takeover targets.
These include former drugs controller M Venkateshwarlu, Ranbaxy CMD Malvinder Mohan Singh, Ranjit Shahani, India chief of Swiss pharma major Novartis AG, Ramaprasad Reddy, chairman Aurobindo Pharma and Rajesh Jain, joint managing director, Panacea Biotec.
There is no doubt that patients are the ultimate beneficiaries of pharmaceutical research and development. Thousands of public health needs go unmet each day simply because there is still a cure out there waiting to be found. Product patents serve as encouragement to innovation, providing impetus to both investors and innovators. It has been argued that by denying product patents, India will encourage domestic generic production and, therefore, access to medicines.
Swiss drug major Novartis' Indian arm is upbeat about its rural sales initiative, Arogya Parviar and plans to double its reach in the country over the next few years. "Arogya Parivar that started as a novel rural marketing initiative is now a profit-making body.
Southern states will soon sell non-prescription drugs in post offices.
Besides Novartis, the other companies are Roche, J&J, Glaxo and Astrazeneca.
Data exclusivity key building block for R&D investment, says Novartis.
To ensure equal access to health care, the government must consider it in a holistic manner and improve all parameters.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances