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Govt soon to roll out technology upgradation scheme to boost pharma SMEs
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
March 30 , 2015
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Subsequent to the announcement of setting up of 10 pharma clusters in
the country to provide common facilities to the pharmaceutical industry,
the Central government would soon come out with the much awaited
technology upgradation scheme to boost small and medium enterprises
(SMEs), according to an official associated with the development.
The
much awaited common facility support scheme has also been finally
released and the government is now in the process of appointing project
management consultants for the same, the official informed.
A
task force report has also been finalised to boost domestic
manufacturing of medical devices in the country as India imports 70% to
80% of costly medical devices. It has also been learnt that the
government is also mulling over to formulate a policy to boost medical
device production through providing special incentives to the pharma
industry and setting up of medical device parks across the country.
According
to industry experts, there has been a long pending demand to launch
schemes for pharma technology upgradation more so as India is dependent
on China for imports of drugs and medical devices. "Though drugs in
India are lesser priced, medical device sector is an important area
which need attention as the cost of diagnosis is still not an affordable
proposition for Indian population, more so, as the disease burden in
India will increase by five times in the coming years," an official
added.
Industry has also felt that there is an urgent need to
propel SME sector by helping with soft finance for technological
upgradation, compliance with GMP standards and setting up of the common
or individual Effluent Treatment plants. Upgradation of SMEs to WHO-GMP
standards would enable them to export their products and thereby
increase their credibility.
Union chemicals and fertilizers
minister Ananth Kumar recently announced that 10 new pharma clusters
will provide common facilities to the pharmaceutical industry, and help
them hive off up to 25% of the cost, making them globally competitive. A
strategy to develop the clusters has also been framed for its early
implementation.
He also said that the Government wants to provide
health security for the poor people of the country, and this requires
innovative strategies, like supply of generic medicines, building
domestic capacity in bulk drugs, and making pharma sector competitive.
A
unified policy, regulation and administration mechanism is required for
the pharmaceutical industry. It has therefore been recommended to the
Prime Minister to set up a separate department for the same. According
to the Minister, Katoch Committee Report on the issue of bulk drugs
production in the country has been received in the Ministry, and an
action plan is being prepared for its implementation. Once its
recommendations are put in place, it will make Indian industry viable
and competitive.
The government has finalised a report with
certain recommendations grouped into 11 broad groups. These groups
include the following like single window clearance mechanism, inducing
manufacturing clusters, unified policy mechanism, capacity building
across functions, developing a national innovation strategy, creating
innovation fund targeted towards specific therapy areas, streamlining IP
operations, evidence-based price controls, greater industry academia
collaboration, streamlining clinical trials and ensuring quality
compliance.
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