Karnataka Pharmaceutical Drugs & Manufacturers Association (KPDMA), which has expressed confidence that the State Pharma Policy would be able to iron out issues and spur growth, is now looking up to the state government to keep its commitment to financial concessions enlisted in the Policy.

KPDMA, represented by over 60 members, pointed out that while the intention is good its implementation is a question.

According to SG Biligiri, president, KPDMA and Technical director, Juggat Pharma, the Policy will provide the platform for development. We will be able to see new investments and even existing companies can look to expand going by the special incentives which are attractive for investors, entrepreneurs and technocrats.

N Jatish Seth, vice chairman, Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (CIPI), member, KDPMA and director, Srushti Pharmaceuticals, said that it was high time the sector got the required attention.

Representing the bio-pharmaceutical sector, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director Biocon Limited who has put in extensive inputs while drafting the Pharma Policy said that it was designed on similar lines like of IT-BT (Information Technology- Biotechnology) Policy. An impressive aspect of this was the attention given to Intellectual Property, research and clinical trials.

Dr Krathish Bopanna, president, Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) and president & executive director, Semler Research Centre Pvt Ltd. pointed out that while the government and the state drugs control department need to be appreciated for announcing the policy which has looked at research and development and clinical trials, the policy paper needs to translated into concrete activity.

Airing similar views of an apprehension on whether the Karnataka Pharmaceutical Policy would be able to fulfill its objective of implementation, MP George, chief operating officer, Bal Pharma Limited said that unless it is converted into a Government Order (GO), all efforts would be seen as a futile exercise. For instance if an industry approaches the Karnataka department of industry and commerce for the incentives, subsidies and  concessions  announced in the policy which is really heart-warming for the micro, small medium enterprises (MSMEs), officials will not be able to disburse the benefits unless a GO is passed.