National Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Education Research (NIPER) will soon take over the reigns of the R&D centre of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) located at Hyderabad. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs one crore for renovation and upkeep of the building and laboratory facilities in the R&D centre.

As part of the revival plan of the IDPL, the government has also released Rs 3 crore for making the three plants located at Rishikesh, Gurgaon and Chennai Schedule M compliant. The work of cleaning of plants has already commenced and would be made Schedule M compliant by 31.3.2006. A sum of Rs 1 crore has also been sanctioned and released for Muzzafarpur Plant. However, amount meant for Muzzafarpur Plant would be spent only after items of work to be taken up are finalized.

During the review meeting of the Revival Plan of IDPL, which was chaired by the union minister of chemicals, fertilizers and steel, Ram Vilas Paswan, IDPL has been asked to prepare rehabilitation package in the light of the recommendations of the Expert Committee and Cabinet decision of 2001 for consideration of the ministry. The ministry had earlier decided to revive all five Units of IDPL located at Gurgaon, Chennai, Hyderabad, Muzaffarpur and Rishikesh in a phased manner. The decision was in tune with the government policy to ensure adequate role for PSUs in ensuring the availability of essential drugs at affordable prices. The government had also decided to appoint NIPER as the external consultant for the entire revival process of IDPL plants.

At present, the decision regarding revival of IDPL is pending with Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (AAIFR). The previous government had decided to close down the IDPL and most of the employees has been given voluntary retirement. In a departure from this decision, it was decided to take effective steps to give a new lease of life to IDPL so as to ensure availability of medicines to the poor masses at affordable prices.