Indian pharmaceuticals must lead the fight against antibiotic resistance

London, 1 October 2017: Earth Security Group has today launched a CEO Briefing for pharmaceuticals in India. It provides pharmaceutical companies and policymakers with an evaluation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) priorities for the industry’s growth.

The briefing highlights India as a global hotspot for the spread of antibiotic resistance due to an over-use of antibiotics and water pollution from antibiotic factory discharge. Deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant infections are expected to rapidly grow, increasing the focus on India as an epicentre and focus of global attention for antibiotic resistance. Water pollution is becoming a material risk for pharmaceutical supply chains globally, as global pharma companies face increasing investor scrutiny over environmental safeguards in their production in particular in India.

Recommendations from the CEO Briefing show that in order to retain its position as the world’s largest antibiotic manufacturing hub, Indian pharmaceutical companies must adopt sustainable financing strategies to fund zero wastewater facilities, by directing the 2% mandatory CSR spending more strategically. It proposes that the national antibiotic campaign in India should deploy proven crowd-sourcing technologies to enable citizens to control water pollution, following the example of technology platforms used to fight against corruption.

It concludes that Indian pharma companies must get ahead of the issue by creating a business action hub to partner with the Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Alliance and support various agencies of the Indian government to implement strategic measures. It recommends that industry associations, such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII); and the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) should work together to develop such an industry action hub to mirror global industry efforts.

Earth Security Group CEO, Alejandro Litovsky, noted, “We are highlighting the urgent need for industry action to avert the global threat of antibiotic resistance. The pharma sector is key to the success of the Make in India campaign and the path is clear for CEOs and industry associations to join government efforts with decisive steps to address antibiotic overuse and environmental pollution.”

The use and value of the report was outlined by its key supporters; Zoe Knight, Group Head, HSBC Centre of Sustainable Finance HSBC commented “This report’s clear and powerful analysis sets out how to focus
on SDG impacts that are material to economic growth. Crucially for SDG implementation, the Earth Security Group has created a framework, which translates the aims set out by the goals into tangible metrics for corporates and investors.”

For more information on the CEO Briefing, and to download a copy: earthsecuritygroup.com/strategy-briefs/ceo-briefing-pharmaceuticals-india

This brief is part of our Earth Security Report 2017. Download the full report from earthsecuritygroup.com

Earth Security Group are advisors helping companies, investors and governments to create a strategic and progressive response to global resource security challenges. Their mission is to align the growth of companies with the sustainable development priorities of the countries on which they depend.

Earth Security Group
22 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD, UK

Claire Poole
Claire@earthsecuritygroup.com

This release was published on openPR.