The Mumbai based leading pharmaceutical packaging company, Ess Dee Aluminium Ltd (EDAL), is set to fight spurious drug manufacturers by introducing some innovative packaging solutions. The company is ready to launch its series of anti-counterfeit and anti-spurious packaging options by next month. The company has already invested Rs 50 crore for the development of new technologies in pharmaceutical packaging.

Speaking with Pharmabiz, Sudip Dutta, chairman and managing director said, "We are ready to fight against spurious packaging. As we have developed unique technology in this segment. The company has invested Rs 50 crore for the development of new technique with the help of its two researchers. We are launching 10-12 new products for the different therapeutic areas".

EDAL has successfully completed the first phase of its world-class packaging facility being built at Daman. The project was launched in October 2006. It has been entrusted with the task of providing specialized aluminium foil based laminates for large contraceptive brands. With this, EDAL is well on course towards emerging as a leading player in the contraceptive laminate requirement both in the domestic as well as in the international market. The company's new product will be more suitable for the antibiotic and multi-vitamins.

The spurious drug market is continuously growing. As per the different studies of reputed institutions, spurious drug market is reaching close to 30 per cent. The counterfeiters are posing a major challenge to the pharma packaging solution business. "The fake drug maker will not invest huge amount for the technology development. They will go for the easier and ready-made solution option. These new technologies are quite affordable to our clients. Our customer can only identify our technology. We are also thinking about to file patent for these technology," he further said.

According to Dutta, counterfeiters are giving a tough time to the packaging industry. Currently, there is no regulatory control on packaging units. He said that it was high time government imposed certain specific rules on packaging industry. Without regulatory support, packaging companies are not able to fight the counterfeiter.

The company has business deals with several pharma giants including Pfizer, Cipla, Ranbaxy, Dr Reddey's Laboratories, Wockhardt, Zydus Cadila, JB Chemical, Sun Pharma, Aurobindo, Indoco, Unichem Laboratories, Themis Labs, Lupin, Ipca and GSK.

While talking about further expansion plans Dutta, said, "We are also considering another excise free zone. We are willing to set up our new manufacturing facility at Sikkim by the end of this year. Simultaneously we are expanding our business operations in the international market."