The Government of Libya has shown keen interest in joining hands with Indian drug companies for technical and marketing collaborations with the state owned General Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Company (GMPMSC).

With Libyan Government planning to float a US $ 10 million tender for medicine supplies this month, the opportunity to supply semi-finished pharmaceutical items and jointly utilize the production line available with the Al-Maya production unit of Libya could be of interest to domestic drug industry. The annual drug tender market of Libya is considered to be US $ 260 million.

The export opportunities came to light during a recent visit of an Indian trade delegation to Libya. Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) that led the delegation is known to have signed an MoU with the Libyan Government for technical and marketing collaboration in the drug sector.

Terming the Libyan visit as a major success, D B Mody, chairman, Pharmexcil said that the MoU covers all aspects of collaboration. "The GMPMSC plans to increase the number of items produced in Al - Maya to meet the increasing market demand. The Indian delegation has agreed to cooperate with Libya to provide GMPMSC with all technical support needed to develop these drugs. A technical team from GMPMSC is to visit Indian bulk drug and formulation manufacturing facilities. Co-operation in the field of technical training in formulation and raw material manufacturing and synthesis is to be in place," Mody explained. India will also send delegates to assist GMPMSC in matters related with production, quality control, maintenance, R&D etc., he added.

According to Pharmexcil Chairman, the Libyan delegation is scheduled to visit India soon. The proposed JV with Indian companies can ensure a regular supply of raw materials to that country. The GMPMSC thrust is on medicaments used in the treatment of chronic diseases that are of relevance to that country.