19 December 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Strengthening the roots of an agri-carbon market
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS3 – Agriculture |
| Context |
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Introduction to Carbon Markets and Agriculture
- Carbon markets present an opportunity to transform Indian agriculture into a profitable venture for farmers by adopting sustainable practices while addressing climate change.
- Carbon pricing plays a key role in mitigating climate change through compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
- Compliance markets are regulated by governments or international bodies like the UN and enforce emission caps, requiring companies to either purchase carbon credits or pay carbon taxes.
- Voluntary markets, unregulated, enable trading of carbon credits through mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism, Verra, and Gold Standard.
India’s Carbon Market Initiatives
- At COP29 in November 2024, a centralized UN carbon market was approved.
- India announced plans to launch compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
- The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have listed five agriculture carbon credit projects with Verra.
Key Principles of Carbon Markets
- Additionality: Credits are issued only if emission reductions occur due to the project, requiring new practices to be adopted.
- Permanence: Benefits, such as carbon storage, must be long-lasting to avoid reversals.
Existing Projects in India
- Over 50 carbon farming projects have been listed in the Verra registry, targeting 1.6 million hectares and aiming to generate 4.7 million credits annually.
- None of these projects have been registered, and farmers have not received payments.
Challenges
- Communication and Training: 45% of farmers reported no communication, and 60% lacked training.
- Financial Incentives: 28% discontinued sustainable practices due to inadequate financial support.
- Payments and Support: 99% of farmers had not received carbon credit payments, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Inclusivity: Projects by startups performed better but were less inclusive of smallholders and marginalized groups.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Higher prices for credits from inclusive projects to encourage participation by smallholders and marginalized groups.
- Regular training, effective communication, and timely payments to ensure participation.
- Collaborations with research institutions to identify suitable interventions and avoid yield penalties.
Advancing Technology and Collaboration
- Improved tools like satellite imagery, drones, and sensors can enhance monitoring and implementation.
- Policymakers, researchers, and private entities must collaborate to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and efficient implementation.
| Practice Question: Discuss the role of carbon markets in transforming Indian agriculture into a sustainable and profitable sector. Highlight the challenges and suggest measures for their effective implementation. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. Making affordable generics more reliable
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health |
| Context |
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Challenges in Generic Drug Quality
- Quality control lapses in generics occasionally compromise their efficacy and safety despite their bioequivalence to branded drugs.
- A PGIMER Chandigarh study revealed that innovator itraconazole achieved therapeutic levels in 73% of cases within two weeks, compared to only 29% for generics, which showed significant defects in formulation.
| Importance of Generic Drugs |
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Reasons for Variability in Generic Drugs
- Excipients and Manufacturing Processes:
- Generic drugs use different ingredients (like binders, fillers, or coatings) that can affect how the medicine dissolves, stays stable, and is absorbed in the body.
- Differences in how the drugs are made (e.g., pressure used, mixing methods) can impact how quickly or effectively the medicine works.
- Bioequivalence Thresholds:
- Rules allow generic drugs to work within 80%–125% of the original drug’s performance.
- For medicines that need very precise doses, this range might not be enough to ensure safety or effectiveness.
- Stability Issues:
- Generics are not always tested well enough to confirm they remain effective in different weather conditions.
- This lack of testing can shorten their shelf life or make them less reliable.
Weaknesses in Regulatory Oversight
- India’s decentralised drug regulation system grants significant authority to State Drug Regulatory Authorities (SDRAs), leading to inconsistent enforcement.
- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) lacks centralised control and sufficient resources to enforce uniform standards.
- The absence of retrospective stability testing for pre-2018 generics perpetuates substandard drug availability.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Centralise drug regulation to address regulatory arbitrage and ensure uniform standards.
- Strengthen the CDSCO with more resources, personnel, and central drug-testing labs.
- Enforce stability testing protocols and mandate periodic reassessment of approved generics.
- Make India’s Pharmacopoeia standards more stringent to align with global benchmarks.
Conclusion
- Generics are essential for equitable access to medicines, but quality must not be compromised.
- Centralisation of drug regulation and robust safeguards are needed to restore public confidence in generics.
- Recommendations from the Bhatia (1954), Hathi (1975), and Mashelkar (2003) committees for centralised oversight must be implemented without delay.
| Practice Question: What are the key challenges in maintaining the quality of generic medicines in India? Propose reforms to address regulatory gaps and ensure the efficacy and safety of generics. (250 Words /15 marks) |
