The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Recent reports have brought to light concerns surrounding electoral bond donations amounting to Rs 1,000 crore made by pharmaceutical companies to the BJP. According to allegations, seven of these companies were under investigation for producing substandard drugs at the time of their donations. This has sparked debate over the integrity of electoral bonds and the influence of corporate money in politics.
Hetero Labs and Hetero Healthcare, along with other notable companies like Torrent Pharma, Zydus Healthcare, Glenmark, Cipla, and IPCA Laboratories, are among those implicated. These companies have been scrutinized by regulatory authorities for quality lapses in drugs, including critical medications like remdesivir used in COVID-19 treatment.
Activists and experts express concerns about the implications of such large donations from companies currently facing regulatory issues. S. Srinivasan, an activist entrepreneur, described the situation as a “legalisation of crime,” implying that these contributions could be seen as attempts to influence regulatory processes or gain favorable outcomes.
Dr. Gopal Dabade, a member of the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), highlighted the fragmented nature of India’s drug regulation, which allows for significant regional disparities and potential loopholes in enforcement. This fragmented regulation could be exploited, Dabade suggested, if companies use donations to sway political support or dampen regulatory rigor.
Further complicating matters, Dr. Mira Shiva of the Initiative for Health and Equity in Society pointed out the disproportionate impact on Indian companies compared to multinational firms. She raised concerns about multinational corporations pressuring the government for policies that could potentially harm the generic drug market in India, which benefits the economically weaker sections of society.
The case of P. Sarath Chandra Reddy, a director at Aurobindo Pharma, exemplifies these concerns. After his arrest linked to alleged kickbacks in Delhi’s liquor licensing, Reddy’s subsequent donations through electoral bonds coincided with him turning approver in the case. This timing has raised eyebrows about the motivations behind these donations and their potential to affect judicial or political outcomes.
These revelations have ignited calls for tighter regulations on electoral bonds and a more robust and uniform drug regulatory framework to protect public health without political interference. The ongoing scrutiny of these donations underscores the need for greater transparency in political financing and corporate governance in the pharmaceutical sector.