Economic Times : Boehringer Seeks to Make Drugs Affordable
Boehringer Ingelheim is weighing several options to make its drugs affordable to patients in India, where the sensitive subjects of patent protection and affordable access to lifesaving medicines have pitted multinational pharmaceutical companies against authorities.
“We have to acknowledge that we have to have lower prices in India,“ Chairman Andreas Barner told ET.“However, we also have to navigate through the fact that in India, you have a very affluent population whose income level is comparable to that in Germany .“
Thus, a section of the population can easily access any healthcare facility but the vast majority can't afford even the basic requirements. It is to resolve this contradiction that companies like Boehringer Ingelheim are exploring innovative ways, while protecting intellectual property rights.
The private firm said it wants to look at various financing options for patients in different income brackets. It is also considering tieups with organisations for financing possibilities. “Apart from absolute amount of money , there is also an issue of cash flow exercise for a patient, whether I pay the entire amount now, or spread it across in instalments. So we are not restricting ourselves to say that we will only lower the prices,“ said Sharad Tyagi, company's India head.
Over the coming months, Boehringer Ingelheim is expected to launch two drugs in India: Afatinib, used as a first-line treatment against metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and diabetic drug Jardiance. Cancer drugs are among the most expensive and therefore unaffordable for a majority of Indians.
India had issued a compulsory licence to domestic drug manufacturer Natco Pharma, two years ago, to make and sell a cheaper version of kidney cancer drug Nexavar, a move that had raised concerns among MNCs. While they continue to accuse India of undermining their patents, they are also trying to make their products more affordable through financing options and discounts in developing nations.
Boehringer Ingelheim, which currently sells only five products in India said it never had any negative views on the country.