India, July 8 -- Pharma industry leaders at the'Gratitude Week - A Tribute to Health Guardians'organised by Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council have called for an increase in budgetary allocation for health to support India's bid for self-reliance.

"We must realise that India's health security is as important as its defence security. Our healthcare budget is 1/5thof the defence budget - healthcare budget in countries like the US or China is more than their defence budget. I believe science should prevail, so we have not asked for emergency approvals," saysSanjiv Navangul, Managing Director & CEO, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSVL).

Last month, the company received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI...