Karnataka pharmaceutical industry has once again appealed for a customs cell at the Bangalore International Airport in view of the growing export from the state. Appointment of an official in the rank of an Assistant Drugs Controller will be required for speedy disposal of certificates in coordination with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Chennai.

Going by the success of the pharma industry so far in the global arena with Rs 1,750 crore as export earnings, Karnataka has the potential to become an international hub for manufacture and research, stated Anjan K Roy, president, KDPMA and managing director, RL Fine Chem.

The pharma industry body, Karnataka Drugs & Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KDPMA) is already represented in government committees including in the Regional Advisory Committee of Central Excise, Export Facilitation Committee of Karnataka government, Federation of Indian Export Organisation and India Trade Promotion Organisation. "Moving forward, we are keen to invite international delegates to improve business opportunities and also send delegations abroad to enhance our brand equity," stated Dr KR Premnath Shenoy, honorary general secretary, IPA, Karnataka.

According to Karnataka health secretary M Madan Gopal pharma sector's proposals will be submitted to the government from his department as part of the Budget proposals. Right now the state government is manned by an efficient team who include KV Rao from the Institute of Social and Economic Change, K Kasturirangan, head, Karnataka Knowledge Commission and Dr MK Sridhar who is a science & technology expert and member of Knowledge Commission. The presence of these personnel will only help to consider proposals with a scope for policy level changes, he added.

As far as the state government is concerned every effort will be made to be create an industry-friendly environment. Now with the setting up the drug test lab at Hubli and Bellary, pharma industry can get maximum credibility of its products within a minimum time frame, stated the health secretary.

Karnataka drug test lab should also make similar efforts like Maharashtra to bag the NABL accreditation. The World Bank has also come forward to provide the assistance in the information technology based management system for improving the licensing and enforcement for better accountability. This will also ensure maximum public disclosure. The project is expected to take off in a year, stated the health secretary.

According to Dr BR Jagashetty, Karnataka drugs controller, being a member of the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) to oversee the computerization and spurious drugs implementation, the state pharma industry will have much to gain in terms of the modernization. Since the state ahs the highest number of pharmacy colleges in the country, we also need a Karnataka Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (KIPER) on similar lines of NIPER.

Ending December 31, 2008, Karnataka pharma sector is has registered earnings to the tune of Rs 3,500 crore. It provided direct employment for 20,000 people and indirect jobs to 30,000 personnel.