Inside India

India’s burgeoning generic drug industry has sparked a row between the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis and the Indian government. Generic drugs are used as a low-cost alternative to the expensive, brand-name drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies. Generic producers argue they’re supplying drugs to those who couldn’t otherwise afford brand-name drugs. Pharmaceutical companies say they have to keep drug prices high so they can make enough money to research and develop new, better drugs and that by taking market share, generic drugs jeopardise this. We explore whether there is a way multinational pharmaceutical companies, governments, NGOs and international institutions can work together so that those in need have access to the best medicine available.

Next, we investigate if commercial surrogacy is really a win-win situation for infertile couples and Indian women eager to earn money by becoming a surrogate mother. Clinics which offer selective abortion and two-for-one deals to improve the likelihood of pregnancy have put ethical concerns under the spotlight.

Finally, economic development in India has gone hand-in-hand with longer, more irregular working hours. Global time differences mean many parents work night shifts so they are awake at the same time as business partners in Europe and North America. To respond to the growing demand for childcare, 24-hour nurseries are increasingly commonplace across India. Parents earn more money but spend less time with their kids. We head to Hyderabad and Mumbai to find out how less family time is impacting on childhood development.