Marcos Jr. eyes ‘partnership’ with India on local manufacturing of generic drugs

FILE PHOTO: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. waves after casting his vote in the 2022 national elections at Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is seeking the help of India to strengthen the local manufacturing of generic drugs in the country.

During his meeting with India Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu S. Kumaran, Marcos Jr. opened up the possibility of a “partnership” between the two countries to help boost local manufacturing of generic drugs in the Philippines.

Marcos Jr. pointed out that India is one of the largest manufacturers of generic drugs in the world.

“I think I said if we could go into partnership para magkaroon ng production dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos Jr. said in a press briefing.

“Turuan nyo kami [Teach us] what is the manufacturing technology, what are the necessary things that have to be put in place… In the end, to be able to provide at least the basic lang na mga gamot na dito na nanggagaling [the basic medicines that comes here],” he added.

While Marcos Jr. said he has “no doubt” with local manufacturers here, he said seeking advice from India will help the country.

“Marami na tayong ginagawa pero marami pa ring kulang and kaya naman siguro,” Marcos Jr. said.

“I have no doubt na ‘yung ating mga manufacturers dito ay kaya naman nilang gawin yan pero [they can do that] we will get advice kasi may experience ang India kaya siguro naman marami silang maipapakita sa atin [that is why they can show a lot to us]. Titingnan natin kung babagay dito sa Pilipinas, baka maka-adapt tayo [We will see if that suits the Philippines, maybe we can adapt] and we will also be able to pursue that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. also said the Philippines can “learn a lot” from India from techniques on agriculture to bringing the average of farmers down.

“One of the solutions that were proposed is that kung gawin nating high-tech ‘yung ating [if we are going high-tech in our] agriculture, magiging interesting para sa mga mas bata [it will be more interesting for the younger generation] because with the new technology, we will need young people anyway,” Marcos Jr. said.

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