Keen to address the issues faced by the pharma industry in Goa, the Goa Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers’ Association (GPMA) recently met key government and regulatory officials in the state. The main agenda behind this meet was to represent the challenges faced by the pharma units in Goa for their continuance as well as for their expansion programmes.

Goa currently has over 70 units operating for various markets, out of this 40 are approved by either one of the major regulatory bodies worldwide. GPMA pointed out that it is important to note that no major units have received import alerts or warning letters from US FDA, an issue plaguing the pharma industry in the rest of the country.

Suresh Kamath, president of GPMA, stressed that this shows the strong compliance that Goan pharma industry has in following the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as required by US FDA and other international regulatory bodies. He further added the important role that the Goan pharma companies play in generating exports, implying that government needs to address its issues at the earliest to ensure that it does not affect exports in future.

The association pointed out that in spite of being a high potential sector, the industry continues to be plagued by inadequate power, water supplies, shortage of skilled manpower and other infrastructure related issues, hampering its expansion plans in the state.

Kamath said that if the companies have to go through these issues in future as well, they would be forced to shift their base to other states which have more industry friendly policies. Experts strongly feel that it is high time for the government to take cognizance of these issues, as their slow approach to address this matter is severely threatening to hurt the growth prospects of the industry in the state.

The GPMA delegation took up these issues with Arun Goyal, principal secretary who also holds the charge of industries & PWD, Dr Bangarurajan, deputy drugs controller, CDSCO (West Zone) and Salim Veljee, director of FDA.

Kamath impressed upon them that though Goa still remains a preferred destination for its overseas partners, its expansion plans have been restrained for want of land. He appealed to GIDC to identify unutilized plots near existing units and release them for the expansion of existing units. He also urged GIDC to consider improving public transport system in collaboration with Kadamba Transport Corporation and provide hostel facilities in major industrial estates.

It is understood that Goyal has agreed to proactively support the industry to ensure its growth within the state and also agreed to conduct a study on supply of raw water to industries to address the issues over water scarcity in the state. However, on the rise in tariff of electricity, he clarified that such increases are required for continual up-gradation of substations and feeder lines.