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Delay in import of R&D reagents troubles bio-pharma sector

Joe C. Mathew, New DelhiWednesday, November 22, 2006, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

The unnecessary delay in the customs clearance of imported R&D reagents continues to be a major headache for the bio-pharmaceutical industry of the country. While international players in the reagent business manage to reduce the negative impact of the bureaucratic hurdle through pre-planned logistic measures, domestic players find this extremely troublesome. According to clinical research organizations, where import of reagents often become necessary within a time span of 48 hours, the delay in customs clearance is causing grave trouble. For biotechnology firms, import of biological materials and reagents on time has turned a rarity. Unfortunately, it is not just the delay from Indian side that is troubling them, the customs authorities at the point of origin (mostly US) are also very cautious about the transfer of biological materials after the September 11 terrorist attack few years ago. Addressing a recent conclave, Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, pointed out that the flow of R&D reagents from US to India takes a month. He also highlighted the difficulties in sourcing biological materials from the US and wanted India to develop its own banking system for biological materials like microorganisms or DNA vectors for R&D purpose. Vyangesh Choksi, Director, Choksi Laboratories Limited (CLL), Indore, was another entrepreneur in the clinical research area who found the delay in the import of reagents unacceptable. CLL, a new entrant into the clinical research area, has already brought it to notice of Department of Biotechnology. Becton Dickinson India Pvt. Ltd, a multinational company that is active in the area of R&D reagent supplies also acknowledges the rough path they have to cover when it comes to import of reagents. However, BD manages to supply the reagents to its customers within 48 hours due to its advance planning, a BD India top executive informed Pharmabiz. The "National Biotechnology Development Strategy" being finalized by DBT has identified simplification and streamlining of procedures for import , clearance and storage of biologicals among its priority areas. The central government had also announced its plans to introduce a new category for biotech products under the ITC (HS) classification of the Import Policy. The new classification was to permit Indian biotech industry and researchers carry out international trade in a wide range of biotech products like specific therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, phyto pharmaceuticals, diagnostic reagents, specialty chemicals and reagents prepared by using rDNA technology, aminio acids etc.

 
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