Structure and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Pharmaceutical Firms

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to capture the structure and performance of small and medium scale (SME) pharmaceutical companies in the broad context of a changing regulatory regime andpolicy environment. The structural dimensions that have been assessed include total strength, geographical distribution, and firm type and presence in particular therapeutic areas. Their performance has been assessed in terms of parameters like thrust on in-house quality control, particularly Schedule M related upgradation, sources of technical know-how, total assets, and output and export behavior. The paper also tries to provide a brief comparative assessment of some of these above-mentioned dimensions in terms of pre-patent and post-patent regimes.

Keywords: innovation, regulation, pharmaceuticals