The move of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to promote Indian bulk drugs industry to boost the pharmaceutical sector may help reduce the prices of medicines in the domestic market in the long run, according to S V Veeramani, president, Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association (IDMA).
 
In an interview with Pharmabiz, he said the efforts of the DoP will be very valuable in reducing dependence on China for supply of bulk drugs.  On a long term basis, this will reduce the monopolistic situation created by supplies from China to greater self-reliance of India.  If this happens, it can reduce the prices of medicines in the domestic market.
 
He said IDMA Tamil Nadu board has made an appeal to the state government and to the department of pharmaceuticals to consider one ‘bulk drug park’ near Gummidipoondi near Chennai and a ‘formulation park’ near Chengalpet.  The request is being considered favourably by the government.
 
While agreeing that pharmacy graduates need to be given legitimate positions in the pharma industry, Veeramani said IDMA has now formed one special committee for ‘Industry-Institute Interactions’ to explore the possibilities for pharmacy graduates in working with academic institutions. According to him, IDMA is the only organisation which recognizes university toppers in pharmacy, all over India, in their Annual Day Celebrations.  Several of the degree holders who received awards from IDMA are now holding premiere positions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
 
When the issues in the ISM sector in Tamil Nadu were raised, he said IDMA Tamil Nadu is working with the local associations in order to alleviate the problems of ISM manufacturing companies in Tamil Nadu.  The state unit is also having a separate committee for ISM to look after the various issues involving ISM.  If the state unit requires the support of all India body of IDMA, it will extend the same.

To a question on the expansion of organisational branches, his reply was that, “besides our Secretariat in Mumbai, IDMA has State Boards in Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh (Indore) and Telangana.  We are planning to have 3 more State Boards, one each in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh, bringing the total number of 10 State Boards to 10. Besides, We are planning to increase our current membership from 810 to more than 1000 members”.

Hailing the Union government, the IDMA president said, the slogan of the Prime Minister,  “Make in India”,  rhymes well for the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry which is aspiring to make pharmaceuticals in India for more than 200 countries in the world.  If the Government slogan of improving ease of doing business in India is materialized, it will help the pharmaceutical industry immensely, he hoped.