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Healthcare is not just a business, it has to have a humanitarian basis, says Cipla Chairman and philanthropist YK Hamied.
Hamied, who received the Hall of Fame Chemtech Leadership and Excellence Award for 2015, said the honour is a testament to the ideals he had fought for, and fiercely defended, despite innumerable odds.
Stating that there has been no dramatic improvement in the living standards of the majority of the populace in the past many years, Hamied emphasised that India could not afford any type of monopoly in healthcare, especially with its population set to cross 1.65 billion by 2050.
“Globalisation of healthcare does not mean denial of drugs for the sick and needy... If anything is important in life, it is the future...,” he said.
Nadir Godrej, Managing Director of Godrej Industries and Chairman of the Chemtech Leadership Awards Committee, called him a “trailblazer” at the event.
“Chemistry’s often a force for good; but it’s clearly understood; that chemistry’s biggest win is when applied to medicine...
“And to this day, he (Hamied) still strives to bring good, affordable care, in spite of patents that are unfair...” he said.
Hamied’s commitment to fighting AIDS worldwide by making affordable antiretroviral drugs; his perseverance and dogged efforts in the establishment of India’s patent law pertaining to food and health, and his continued work to ensure healthcare for the under privileged were all richly hailed.
Looking dapper in a black suit with a striking red tie, Hamied said he owes the award to his family and the Cipla team.
“No individual can do anything by himself. What can even (Prime Minister) Modi do on his own? You are only as good as your team,” he told BusinessLine .
A Cambridge graduate in Chemistry and Natural Sciences and a PhD from the same university, Hamied added chemistry was in his blood, as he has been actively involved with chemistry for the past 55 years.
Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao presented the award to Hamied at a ceremony hosted by Maulik Jasubhai, Vice-Chairman of the Chemtech Foundation.
Rao also presented the ‘Lifetime achievement award’ to Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman of Serum Institute of India.
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