In an effort to further improve the services to ensure service to all the sectors of the Council, the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) has decided to set up separate panels of experts for various segments related to pharmaceutical exports.

The council will set up panels for APIs & intermediates, pharmaceutical formulations, biotech & biological products, medical devices, surgicals, diagnostics & healthcare products, veterinary drugs, R&D, Clinical trials & pharmaceutical services, DGFT, customs and central excise and a panel for drug regulatory matters addressing both international and domestic systems. The number of panels can go further as per the requirement of the industry, according to Dr P V Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcil.

Besides, the council is also exploring options to outsource expertise from the best resources for the panel and industry. The consultants and private firms can register their name in the Pharmexcil website, so that its members can contact them directly for services.

"The panel will help the council to improve its services to the pharma exporters in the country. We will support the panels and the firms related to the segment to conduct seminars and workshops by allotting funds, in future," said Dr Appaji. The plans for outsourcing will help the companies to find right sources to solve their issues, he added.

The main functions of the panels would be to formulate activities for the growth of the sector, provide inputs and make suggestions to the council on various policy issues. The secretariat of the council would provide all necessary assistance to the panels. Each panel should also schedule their annual schedule and has to inform the council in advance for better organisation of projects. The council has invited the members in each segment to join the panels.

Once receiving the response from the interested members, the committee of administration will consider the situation and the process to set up panels will take almost two to three months. The members can avail services of experts and consultants even before official commissioning of panels, he added.

The council already has two expert panels under its administration, one for Ayush products and another for SMEs, which are actively working. Pharmexcil is also supporting its members in the patent related issues through its Patent Facilitation Centre, set up with the support of Department of Pharmaceuticals.

In the backdrop of the recent regulatory issues faced in Africa and Europe, and various relevant issues on certification and trade relations with foreign countries, the expansion of operations through setting up panels will help the council to address the issues effectively within limited timeframe, comments Dr Appaji.