Coalition for Affordable Care Website Launched, Heralding Indian Prime Minister’s U.S. Visit
<0> India First Group, LLCRon Somers, 202-466-0588 </0>
As India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi readies for his first encounter with President Barack Obama next week, the Indian pharmaceutical industry, U.S. health care providers and life sciences companies, think tanks and policy experts, academic and research institutions, U.S. insurance companies and pension funds, NGOs and Trade Associations, have launched today a website for their Coalition for Affordable Care.
This marks the kick-off of a sustained campaign by these stakeholders to enlighten U.S. citizens about the contribution being made by Indian manufacturers of high quality, low cost generic pharmaceuticals to America’s health care system. In fact, U.S. FDA Commissioner Margaret A Hamburg estimates that from 2003 through 2012, generic drug use is estimated to have generated more than $1.2 trillion in savings to the health care system and to have benefitted the health and well-being of innumerable lives.
India’s role in achieving these savings has been significant, considering that of all the medicines sold in the U.S., as much as 70% of the active ingredients are sourced from India.
Affordable pricing of drugs and expanding access to medicines are twin goals which the Coalition for Affordable Care takes seriously, recognizing that safety and quality are paramount. These points, the Coalition for Affordable Care hopes, will be made by India’s Prime Minister to President Obama, when the Prime Minister engages with political and business leaders in New York and Washington, starting on September 29th.
“High quality, low cost access to generic medicines delivers significant savings to U.S. citizens, alleviating financial pressures on an already over-burdened health care system,” said Ron Somers of India First Group, LLC, which is spearheading the Coalition for Affordable Care. “It is high-time for Americans inside the Beltway and across the country to validate the emerging partnership model that India and the United States are forging to expand quality health care access to millions of Americans and Indians, as well as to the larger global community. As the Prime Minister of India engages with the President of the United States and other elected officials, we are hopeful this message of partnership in health care will be embraced and endorsed. The United States and India are already making a difference in health care, and this momentum must continue,” says Somers, former President of the U.S.-India Business Council.
The Coalition for Affordable Care launch of its website marks the starting off point that aims to provide information and deepen trust concerning the strengthening of partnership taking place between top U.S. and Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers in this vital life sciences and health care sector.
The Coalition for Affordable Care welcomes diverse public participation, including student activism, supporting this important education and advocacy campaign. “Access to affordable health care,” says Somers, “will be a game-changer affecting every government, every person, all humanity – a cause worthy of our urgent attention and support.”