The Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (Small Scale) has sought a uniform policy for the entire country for procurement of medicines by the central and state governments, hospitals and public sector organizations. Supporting the government move to introduce pre-tender quality scrutiny, the SSIs said that they are willing to get their products tested from any of the government approved testing laboratories for quality.

In a plea to the SSI ministry, the CIPI called for standardized terms and conditions for government tenders. According to CIPI, there are three major hurdles that prevent SSIs from successfully participating in government tenders. "Several government institutions announce eligibility criteria that restrict participation to a few top companies. Another practice is to insist upon WHO-GMP which means inspections and approval from Geneva. Turnover criteria is the third issue," Sudesh Kumar, Executive Secretary, CIPI informed Pharmabiz.

According to CIPI, any unit, possessing a valid manufacturing license form Indian drug regulatory authorities, should be allowed to participate in the tenders. The turnover criterion is absurd as most high turnover companies are getting their products manufactured outside their plants. It only shows that the SSI manufacturers can supply the drugs to pharma majors, CIPI informed.

The SSI drug makers are hoping to see a policy intervention in their favour in the coming days. They want the government to give a preferential treatment to SSIs also, just as it is planning to do for PSUs. "A price advantage should also be allowed to SSIs as it is given to PSUs," they say.

Pharmabiz had recently reported that the chemical ministry is planning to recommend a set of quality testing parameters for participating in government supplies.