The welcome address by Mr Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA, highlighted that the IPA companies are committed to looking beyond business and serving the larger purpose of commitment towards society. In the keynote address, Dr Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals appreciated the CSR and ESG initiatives undertaken by IPA companies and the contributions of the Indian pharma industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance for their outstanding CSR initiatives, particularly in the area of healthcare. The collaborative model, where both public and private sectors contribute, plays a pivotal role in promoting positive externalities, benefiting society, the economy, and our citizens' well-being. IPA's commendable efforts during the challenging COVID-19 period, ensuring access to affordable medicines and the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, deserve special mention. Today's event timely showcases the industry's commitment beyond CSR, creating shared values for both business and society. This report serves as a benchmark for sectors aiming to build purpose-driven organizations. My sincere appreciation to all involved in implementing these impactful initiatives."
Post the address, Dr Chawla officially launched the report. This was followed by a CEO Panel discussion with participation from Mr Dilip Shanghvi (Sun Pharma), Mr Pankaj Patel (Zydus), Mr Satish Reddy (Dr Reddy’s) and Dr Nachiket Mor, and moderated by Ms Priya Naik, CEO, Samhita Social Venture. The discussion delved into how businesses can deepen their responsible agenda. Furthermore, they suggested organizations chart their initiatives to include building SSR (Strategic Social Responsibility), improving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance, and focusing on convergence to align business practices with responsible business conduct. The event concluded with an address by Ms Archana Jatkar, Associate Secretary General.