The 5th Annual General Body meeting of INFAH was held on 12th August 2016 at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai at 15:00 hours. The meeting was attended by over 100 industry colleagues representing Indian Animal Health & Nutrition Industry.

Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH) has a clear vision towards creating trust among veterinary professionals, Livestock, Poultry, Companion Animal and Aqua stakeholders, enhancing animal health Industry's value and contribution to society, by setting high standards of competitiveness, ethical business practices, innovation and leadership among its members and also ensuring significant presence across the globe.

Meeting started with the Safety Briefings by Hotel Sahara Star Security Staff. In his welcome address, Dr. D.K. Dey, Vice President - INFAH, touched the heart of members by conveying that this welcome is not restricted to AGM. This welcome is actually the gratitude in the form of whole hearted support extended by members to INFAH. He expressed that the role of INFAH has become more significant to meet the new challenges, adopt new culture and practices, be more proactive towards our role in policy making decisions and overall creating new opportunity for sustainable growth by adopting best professional and ethical practices.

Dr. Arun Atrey, President - INFAH welcomed all the members to 5th AGM. He took this opportunity to congratulate all the members for being part of INFAH's journey of the last 5 years. This period was full of challenges and achievements. With the support of all the members INFAH have been able to create some new milestones which would give a new direction to its future growth.

Key messages shared by Dr. Atrey were as follows:

1. INFAH's Mission is "Healthy Animal, Healthier India". INFAHs efforts would always be directed towards making our Animals healthy & their produce safe for the Human consumption. INFAH's endeavour would always be for the practices which are beneficial to India and its Animal producers and consumers.
2. INFAH's Vision is to raise our animal health practices at par with the best in the world, while ensuring that it protects the well-being of our local populace.
3. The Industry being so dynamic we need to be adaptable to change. As we are aligning with the rest of the world, we need to revisit our practices and concerns to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of our enlightened consumers.
4. The Growth of any Industry is linked with the quality and availability of the desired talent. Ours being a science Industry, it's essential that we continue to make our industry lucrative for the scientist community. We also need manpower for other functional areas. To achieve this, it's very important for all of us to work untiringly to attract better and more talent for the Animal Health Industry. Our Sub Committee on Human Resources has already started working in spreading the awareness regarding the Industry. But, All INFAH members need to contribute for the success of this initiative.
5. We need to be Innovative and think out of the Box. Animal Health being a unique area, it's possible that our requirements in terms of the drug laws and practices could be different. We need to continue to have a dialogue with Scientists and regulators to work towards creating the best possible practices for the Industry which can be scientifically as well as commercially justified. We have been able to achieve significant success in some areas, so far.
6. I'd expect each INFAH Member to add values to the INFAH's initiatives. We are blessed with having a pool of talented people who are very passionate about Animal Health. While they continue to do well for their respective organisations, they must find time to contribute for strengthening this Industry. Ours being a small Industry our resources are also limited. Unless we work as a team/ unitedly by pooling our resources, it would be difficult to accelerate the pace of development of this Industry.
7. INFAH is totally committed to meet the expectations of its members. However, it would need constant encouragement and guidance from all who matter.

Dr. Atrey thanked all the Management Committee members of INFAH who have worked relentlessly for the benefit of this Industry. In addition he thanked all Sub Committee member's for their contribution without which we wouldn't have been able to achieve what we have done so far. The support of MOA,MOH&FW, Research Institutions & other associations of the Industry is praise worthy and we are grateful to them.

He assured members that at INFAH we would continue to work with same Zeal and enthusiasm which has brought us here. He appealed to all members for their continued support for the Bright Future of this industry.

Mr. Vijay Teng, General Secretary - INFAH emphasized that the journey of INFAH will always remain challenging due to ever changing regulatory environment and continual demand for cost effective solutions.

Mr. Vijay Teng made a detailed presentation on journey of INFAH in 2015-16. He also explained in detail about the functioning of INFAH. Highlights of his presentation are as follows –

1. Introduction of New Subcommittee – Inclusion of C.S.R. along with GMP, creation of HR Subcommittee
2. C.S.R. Initiatives – Helping the owners & producers of livestock during challenging times of Flood around Chennai area, Steps towards achieving Freedom from malnutrition by organizing Egg Protein awareness camps on occasion of world egg days, Awareness on Zoonotic importance of Tuberculosis
3. Interface with Health for Animals(HFA) & IFAH - INFAH shall be playing important role in organizing Global Animal Health Conference in New Delhi on 17th November, 2016 along with HFA & other Institutions
4. Antimicrobial Usage in Veterinary – Roundtable with IAAVR
5. GST Representation - The entire industry stood united to share expectations of AH sector & to get exemption of taxes on Feed Additives / Supplement in GST era as well.
6. Representation to regulatory bodies like IVRI to share perspective of industry on registration of vaccines. Similar representation organized by herbal subcommittee to Department of AYUSH
7. Separate vertical of Animal Health Products to meet the specific needs of animal health sector
8. Workshop om Harmonization of production & Quality Control of Veterinary biologics in India
9. Collaboration with CESSA to expand the member case by adding 3 more companies
10. Representation at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for not to increase Fee Hike by DCGI
11. Collaboration efforts with CLFMA on classification of feed additives, integration of previous list & submitting 5th list
12. Preparatory work for Indian pharmacopeia 2018
13. Recognition of INFAH By IPJA by giving award during Nov 2015
14. Launch of INFAH Connect Initiative - an Quarterly journal for enhancing connectivity with members
15. Initiatives to reach out through our website www.infah.org

During the AGM, following insightful presentations were made :

1. "Update on Goods & Service Tax (GST) law & its advocacy" by Mr. Santosh Dalvi - KPMG team. GST implications on Animal Nutrition & Health Industry. Members have shown keen interest in this presentation & appreciated the work done so far by Subcommittee on Feed Supplements lead by Mr. Satish Pasrija
2. "Counterfeit Issue in Animal Health Market an Overview & Experience" sharing by Mr. Satish Pasrija (Immediate Past President- INFAH). Key Elements of this presentation were – Definition of Counterfeit, means & way of Tackling Counterfeit menace, tips for handling Counterfeit Issues, proactive measures which can be taken by legal department of companies – Intellectual Property (Industrial Property, Copyrights / Author Rights). Mr Satish Pasrija closed the presentation by this Quote. "Fake drugs are more deadly than terrorism. Forty years of terrorism, has killed 65,000 people globally, compared with 200,000 in one year alone in China from counterfeit medicines." Ronald Noble, Interpol's Secretary General Source : Opening remark to an Anti-Counterfeiting Conference in Africa in 2009 A number of case studies were shared to give a thorough insight on handling conterfeits. This presentation received thunderous applause & entire INFAH members appreciated the Insights brought by this presentation. Most of the members now have roadmap to address the Counterfeit menace.

Dr. P.G. Phalke (Treasurer - INFAH) conducted the AGM proceedings & inform all the members of below updates :

1. Inclusion of Nurture Aqua as new INFAH member company
2. Inclusion of Mr. Anurag Agrawal as Managing Committee Member in lieu of Mr. Balaram Bhattacharya's who could not to continue due to his other professional commitments.
3. Sharing of Balance Sheet for the year 2015-2016
4. Appointing the auditors for next term
5. Membership Renewal

During the members forum INFAH Member Mr. Rajesh Agarwal (Bayer India) shared his thoughts on Data Exclusivity & Patents, Mr. Gera (Hester) shared his thoughts on Importation of Biologicals. The Managing Committee has made the notes of their respective feedback & shall be taken forward by MC.

The final part of AGM witnessed an exciting presentation on "Harnessing the Digital Technology" presentation by Mr. Hareesh Tibrewala (Joint CEO, Mirum Agency) He enlightened the audience with an external perspective on how Digital technology is changing the business dynamics. He shared Insights on time spend on digital media, Internet penetration in Rural & Urban Population, user information of different social media platforms. Connecting these Insights, he shared how Animal Healthcare provider can leverage these platforms.

On the occasion of the 5th AGM, INFAH Recognized the contribution of individuals towards development of AH sector in the form of "INFAH Award". The award was presented to Dr. Asim Benarjee for his exemplary contribution to society at large and Animal Health Industry in particular.

Dr. Jeetendra Verma (Joint Secretary - INFAH) read the citation for Dr. Asim Benarjee Over a period of more than 3 decades Dr. Asim Benarjee served relentlessly working towards development of AH sector. Dr. Asim Banerjee thanked INFAH for this award and delivered an Inspirational speech by sharing his success mantra with the audience. He emphasized that AH professionals should feel proud as we play a significant role in providing Nutrition Security to the nation. He appreciated the leadership provided by Mr. Satish Pasrija & Dr. Arun Atrey & wished continued success for INFAH in coming times.

Dr. Vijay Makhija, Managing Committee Member - INFAH proposed vote of thanks. He Expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Asim Benarjee, Mr. Satish Pasrija, Dr. Arun Atrey for their continuous guidance & Support. Thanked KPMG Team, Mr. Satish Pasrija & Mr. Hareesh Tibrewala for sharing their insights through presentation during the AGM. He recognized the contribution of each INFAH member, Managing committee, Subcommittee members and support from Dr. Shivanand, Ms Bhavana, Ms Radhika and team to help INFAH functioning as a responsible association. He thanked Dr. Nitin Bhatia & Dr. Rajni for providing support in organization of the 5th AGM & INFAH Connect publication. He thanked the hospitality and arrangements done by hotel staff. The program ended with networking dinner.

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