India, Aug. 24 -- India, a$66.66 Bn-strong pharma giant, is in the throes of a chronic illness. Medical expenses are eating into the household budget, pushing the average Indian to shell out INR 135 in rural areas and INR 250 in cities every month, shows the government's monthly consumption expenditure survey.

Why can't India heal itself despite fostering the 14th largest pharma industry in terms of value and third in volumes? It is also the largest supplier of generic medicines, making up 20% of the global supply, and continuing to be a key player in affordable vaccines.

Yet, more than 1.6 Mn lives are crushed every year in the country because of inadequate healthcare.

A combination of high pollution levels, poor healthcare infrastruc...