India and Brazil explore fast-track approval of pharmaceuticals

India is negotiating streamlined pathways for the approval of pharmaceutical products in Brazil, aiming to facilitate faster market access for medicines already authorised by major global regulatory bodies. This is reported by Metrópoles, a partner of TV BRICS.

This initiative was discussed during the official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Brasilia, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The leaders signed a series of bilateral agreements and explored closer cooperation in pharmaceutical research, technology transfer, and regulatory alignment.

According to Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Prime Minister Modi proposed enhancing collaboration in knowledge sharing, best practices, and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. President Lula expressed openness to the presence and expansion of Indian pharmaceutical producers in Brazil, recognising India’s potential to contribute to Brazil’s public healthcare system.

Indian Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia highlighted that around 15 major Indian pharmaceutical companies already operate within Brazilian territory.

He noted President Lula’s enthusiasm for leveraging India’s cost-effective pharmaceutical production to support Brazil’s healthcare distribution network. Ambassador Bhatia also confirmed that Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently opened an office in New Delhi to facilitate regulatory cooperation.

Photo: VINÍCIUS SCHMIDT/ METRÓPOLES