The small-scale sector drug manufacturers in the country have united under the banner of the Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industries (CIPI), an apex organisation of all the state and regional level SSI pharma associations, to become the largest pharmaceutical industry organisation in India. The move gains significance considering the deadline of GMP implementation and other problems plagued with the industry.

There are indications that the SSIs will adopt a proactive role in the coming months to influence policy decisions and will fight for their survival rather than depending on other associations to air their views and grievances.

The association was formed on July 27 at Delhi at a formal meeting of the industry representatives numbering about 40 to 45 from different parts of the country. "Though our West Bengal and Delhi associations were suggesting to form a national body for sometime, we did not have intentions to act quickly when we gathered for the Delhi meet. But the move got momentum when we discussed the issues, and decided to formally launch the association without further delay," T.S.Jaishankar, Chairman of the newly formed CIPI told Chronicle Pharmabiz.

Incidentally, he is also the President of the recently formed Federation of South Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Associations (FSIPMA), the organisation of south Indian SSI drug manufacturers. The Chairman's office will function from Chennai. Two members from all the state associations have been inducted into the committee of CIPI. Though the Maharashtra and Gujarat industry associations were not present during the initial formation meeting, it is learnt that they are also joining CIPI, and the next meeting is likely to be held at Maharashtra or Indore. According to Jaishankar, the immediate task of CIPI is to bargain for some favourable changes in the revised CGMP norms. "Though we are also members of associations like IDMA, we feel our interests have not been aired with due importance. It is a matter of survival for us as the deadline is just a few months away, and we are planning all out efforts to stand united and fight for our cause at this time of crisis," said Jaishankar.

Jaishankar suggested that the association would soon approach the Government with a proposal to incorporate practical changes in the revised CGMP norms. It includes amending the ancillary area stipulation and facilitating soft loans with interest of 5-6 percent and repayment period up to 10-year duration to comply with the CGMP norms. Another suggestion would be to appoint pre-trained exclusive Drug Inspectors to monitor and assess GMP compliance to avoid unnecessary interpretation of laws. The other immediate tasks before the association include collecting authentic data on the SSIs in the country, a first of its kind effort in a national perspective. The data would be compiled in a two to three month's time with the help of various state level organisations, said Jaishankar.