| |JULY 20258INDIA FAST EMERGING AS GLOBAL POWERHOUSE IN PHARMA & MEDTECH R&DSERUM INSTITUTE AND IVMA REASSERT COVID-19 VACCINE SAFETYAmid renewed public discussions about vaccine safety, the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) pointedly reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, efficacious and scientifically verified.Their reiteration comes on the heels of speculative assertions on social media linking vaccinations to sudden cardiac events and deaths. "Patient safety and product quality are always prioritised during the vaccine development and its manufacture," said Dr G V J A Harshavardhan, Director General, IVMA.The SII and IVMA carried claims with evidence substantiated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and AIIMS; there was no direct association established between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden death. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, a multicentric case­control study of sudden deaths across 47 hospitals in 19 states, found no elevated risk of unexplained sudden death in individuals vaccinated with COVID vaccines in the 18­45 age range. The ongoing multi-year study being conducted by researchers at AIIMS and the ICMR correlates sudden death with a history of heart problems, congenital predispositions and lifestyle, not vaccination.The Health Ministry has reiterated that every Covid-19 vaccine that was approved under India's emergency use authorisation underwent clinical trials and had undergone batch wise assessment by the Central Drugs Laboratory for safety, efficacy and immunogenicity.India's vaccine manufacturers promote collective reliance on science-laden data substantiated with expert reviewed studies, with the aim of reassuring the public of its commitment to public health. With the dynamic nature of the biopharma and vaccine industry, the authors have confidence as they collectively continue to build upon global safety standards, these statements restore the trust that their efforts in very important life-saving immunization will not cause sudden death. POTOP STORIESAccording to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, India is quickly establishing itself as a global hub for pharmaceuticals and medical research. In New Delhi, Birla said this at the 7th International Conference of the Innovative Physicians Forum (IPF Medicon 2025).Birla referenced India's healthy ecosystem in the healthcare sector, and India has become a leader in drug manufacturing, vaccine production and biomedical innovation.He indicated that Indian doctors, scientists and medical professionals gained worldwide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as they demonstrated excellence and innovation in healthcare through constraints and limited resources. In addition to New Delhi promoting a qualitatively, accessible and affordable healthcare infrastructure in India, the country is also seeing unprecedented levels of foreign investment coming into the country. The pharma and medical device sectors lured over Rs 11,888 crore in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) between the period of April to December 2024, in addition to Rs 7,246 crore through brownfield investments--both demonstrating the level of confidence from the global economy in the Indian life sciences ecosystem.The government's flagship health programs like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are remoting reformations to equitable access through research initiatives. As such, Birla clarified that the Indian healthcare and pharmaceuticals will have a transformative role in the global economy with continued R&D, the development of qualified human capital and policy solicitation.With rising exports, expanding infrastructure, and global partnerships, India is fast becoming a preferred destination for pharmaceutical innovation and medical research excellence. PO
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