An increased allocation for new schemes towards technical upgradation and research in the field of pharmaceuticals, higher support to Jan Aushadhi, and an initial amount for the anticipated financial rehabilitation package of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL) have effected a considerable hike in the total budgetary allocation for the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP).

According to the details of the allocation as specified in the budget for 2012-13, the DoP will get a total of Rs.231 crore for the next financial year against the revised allocation of Rs.116.08 crore in the current year.

“Presently IDPL’s rehabilitation plan is under consideration and it is expected that the year 2012-13, the first year of 12th Five Year Plan, will also be the first year of implementation of IDPL’s revival plan. Proposed outlay of Rs.15 crore is for the activities related to revival of IDPL,” according to the note on demands for grants for the department.

Against a mere Rs.8.44 crore in the last budget, the Finance Minister has allocated Rs.67 crore under the head of `others’ which will be used for new schemes including Jan Aushadhi scheme during the next fiscal.

The allocation for National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research (NIPER), which also will cover the new NIPERs along with the one at Mohali, also got a big push in the budget. The allocation went to Rs.102.75 crore up from Rs.60.63 crore, the revised target in the current year.

“The provision includes non-plan support for day-to-day expenditure and plan support for their ongoing schemes and new schemes in NIPER, Mohali as well as for six new NIPERS, one each at Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Hajipur, Kolkata, Guwahati and Rae Bareli,” said the note on demands.

Out of the total allocation of Rs.231.09 crore, the plan outlay is Rs.188 crore. The total allocation for the department during 2010-11 stood at Rs.102.37 crore and it went to Rs.213 crore during the current financial year. However, it was brought down to Rs.116.08 crore in the revised estimates.

After toying with several ideas and unsuccessfully pushing a revival package of Rs.441 crore since 2007, the move now is to upgrade the manufacturing facilities of IDPL conforming to the WHO-GMP standards.