The government is planning to utilise 1000 acres of unused land at the three plants of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL), Hyderabad, Rishikesh and Chennai for setting up pharmaceutical parks soon. This would provide a major boost to several hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
Taking the plan forward, government is also in talks with the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to develop pharmaceutical parks and modernise existing clusters on scientific basis.
As a part of the cluster development programme formulated by the government, clusters would be regularised and modernised for which funds have initially been earmarked to the tune of Rs.125 crore initially. The coming financial year, starting April would see technology upgradation and financial support schemes for mordernising pharma clusters and SMEs.
Secretary Department of Pharmaceuticals Dr VK Subburaj told Pharmabiz, "State governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have shown interest in providing land and facilities to develop pharmaceutical parks."
A committee set up under the guidance of department of pharmaceuticals to revive bulk drug sector will shortly send its recommendations to the Prime Minister's office. Dr Katoch Committee, which has been entrusted with the brief to work out the requirements for reviving bulk drugs industry, will be submitting the recommendations to the Government to initiate necessary actions and policies to achieve self -reliance in bulk drugs.
According to industry sources, attention is required on issues such as exorbitant cost of land, easy access to finance, banking and working capital, utilities and services, environmental issues, R&D support etc. Addressing all these factors and resolving them will surely revive our bulk drugs and intermediates sector.
An IDMA official informed that it has discussed with Hindustan Antibiotics management on reviving the PSU and guide them in achieving their optimum potential. HAL and other PSUs could be entrusted with producing bulk drugs under NLEM to ensure affordable and continuous supply of these essential drugs. It has also been suggested ways and means for the revival of pharma public sector units like IDPL including the ones that have shut down such as Bengal Chemicals.
Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd, Patalganga, Maharashtra can be revived to manufacture paracetamol and its intermediate paraminophenol. It also has to be ensured that these companies are run by a professional board with government support.