India and Brazil to Strengthen Cooperation in the Health Sector
by Astrid Fiano, DOTmed News Writer | August 04, 2008
Indian Union Minister for
Health & Family Welfare
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
Health & Family Welfare
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
Indian Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss has made a public statement during the India-Brazil Bilateral Meeting last week, calling for cooperation between the two nations in the health sector.
Research to improve the countries' health is paramount to the cooperation. "We need to develop, in association with WHO, the capacities of other developing countries in legislating and implementing their intellectual property right regimes in a manner that would maximize public health gains," Dr. Ramadoss said in his statement.
Dr. Ramadoss went on to specify three areas for further cooperation: first, improving the value of the countries' research and development efforts; second, to encourage lifestyle changes through traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda and Yoga; and finally, cooperation in the areas of biotechnology and pharmaceutical products. In this context, Dr. Ramadoss stressed the need for maintaining continual pharmaceutical standards.
The two countries have had existing historical ties beyond the current bilateral cooperation in health and medicine. Dr. Ramadoss stated that the visit will strengthen those ties and explore the several commonalities between the two countries. He observed that both the countries can have cooperation in various areas in the health sector such as chronic diseases, alcohol abuse, cardio-vascular diseases, tobacco use, bio-technology, neglected diseases, organ transplantation, and other health issues.
This meeting continues the arrangement signed in 1998 between the two nations in the field of health and medicine which planned for cooperation in the areas of biotechnology, health and pharmaceutical products, epidemiology, management of public health system, traditional medicines, infectious diseases and parasitology, maternal and child health care and family planning, tropical medicines and other issues specific to Brazil and India. Dr. Ramadoss stated that the counterpart agencies from both countries will be able to identify specific areas of cooperation under the arrangement and work together in these areas.
Dr. Ramadoss welcomed Brazilian Health Sector to invest in India. The cooperation will hopefully address the paucity of new drugs with respect to diseases afflicting poorer countries, research on neglected tropical diseases as opposed to commercially viable products and the accessibility and prices of essential drugs.
Dr. Ramadoss highlighted the problems of substance abuse (tobacco and alcohol), especially on the youth and sought Brazil's support for Indian efforts toward addressing the problem, including earmarking October 2nd as "World No Alcohol Day." Dr. Ramadoss also pointed out the benefits of the traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda and Yoga as part of healthy life styles, and that these practices could be part of a joint strategy--and that India would be glad to share its traditional medicine expertise with Brazil.
Research to improve the countries' health is paramount to the cooperation. "We need to develop, in association with WHO, the capacities of other developing countries in legislating and implementing their intellectual property right regimes in a manner that would maximize public health gains," Dr. Ramadoss said in his statement.
Dr. Ramadoss went on to specify three areas for further cooperation: first, improving the value of the countries' research and development efforts; second, to encourage lifestyle changes through traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda and Yoga; and finally, cooperation in the areas of biotechnology and pharmaceutical products. In this context, Dr. Ramadoss stressed the need for maintaining continual pharmaceutical standards.
The two countries have had existing historical ties beyond the current bilateral cooperation in health and medicine. Dr. Ramadoss stated that the visit will strengthen those ties and explore the several commonalities between the two countries. He observed that both the countries can have cooperation in various areas in the health sector such as chronic diseases, alcohol abuse, cardio-vascular diseases, tobacco use, bio-technology, neglected diseases, organ transplantation, and other health issues.
This meeting continues the arrangement signed in 1998 between the two nations in the field of health and medicine which planned for cooperation in the areas of biotechnology, health and pharmaceutical products, epidemiology, management of public health system, traditional medicines, infectious diseases and parasitology, maternal and child health care and family planning, tropical medicines and other issues specific to Brazil and India. Dr. Ramadoss stated that the counterpart agencies from both countries will be able to identify specific areas of cooperation under the arrangement and work together in these areas.
Dr. Ramadoss welcomed Brazilian Health Sector to invest in India. The cooperation will hopefully address the paucity of new drugs with respect to diseases afflicting poorer countries, research on neglected tropical diseases as opposed to commercially viable products and the accessibility and prices of essential drugs.
Dr. Ramadoss highlighted the problems of substance abuse (tobacco and alcohol), especially on the youth and sought Brazil's support for Indian efforts toward addressing the problem, including earmarking October 2nd as "World No Alcohol Day." Dr. Ramadoss also pointed out the benefits of the traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda and Yoga as part of healthy life styles, and that these practices could be part of a joint strategy--and that India would be glad to share its traditional medicine expertise with Brazil.
