“2015 – Year of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients” launched

“2015 – Year of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients” launched; Chemicals & Fertilizers Minister assures Pharmaceutical Industry of reforms to make India self-sufficient in Bulk Drugs

The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Sh. Ananth Kumar has assured the Pharmaceutical Industry that appropriate decisions will be taken soon so that India becomes self-sufficient in the Bulk Drugs. Speaking at the launch ceremony of “2015 – Year of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients” here today he said that the Government is committed to usher in reforms and good governance, and promote the concept of “Make in India”. He said that the Government had set up Katoch Committee to look into various issues concerning the bulk drugs, and its recommendations have been received which will be implemented expeditiously after taking the Cabinet’s approval. Sh. Ananth Kumar said that the Bulk Drugs constitute the backbone of the Pharmaceutical Industry and the sector needs to be incentivized so as to take on the challenge from cheap imports. The Minster said that there can be no compromise with the quality, environmental requirements or regulatory necessities but the issues hampering the growth of the industry have to be addressed. He said over-dependence on imports from one country for bulk drugs is detrimental to the country’s interest and hence, paradigm shift is necessary. Sh. Ananth Kumar said that in formulations, India is a world leader and there is no reason why we should not be in the bulk drugs sector also. He said the Government is committed to support the bulk drug industry and revival of Public Sector Undertakings of the sector is on the anvil. Discussions with State Governments are also going on to solicit their cooperation for setting up Mega Pharma Parks. He called upon the industry to tap the skilled manpower and potential of the country and come up with an action plan for strengthening the Bulk Drugs Sector. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers Sh. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that more research and development activities need to be taken in this sector. He called for industry-government cooperation to give boost to the Bulk Drugs Industry. Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals Dr. V.K. Subburaj said that there is an urgent need to bring about self-sufficiency in the field of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). He said that the Government is taking steps to reduce dependence on imports and initiate good policy measures to support the industry. India is very much dependent on import from a single source for basic chemicals, intermediates and APIs for many commonly used medicines. To avoid the price and supply risks associated with such situation and ensure assured and sustained availability of these basic inputs to formulation sector, there is a felt need to focus the attention to promote the manufacturing of API in India. This is also consistent with the avowed objective of the government regarding ‘Make in India’. In recognition of the situation, Department of Pharmaceuticals has declared the Year 2015 as the Year of API. The Government will take measures to facilitate the growth of the sector and also interact with the industry on a more regular basis to improve G2B interactions and promote better and more coordinated efforts to achieve the objective of ‘Make in India’, especially for the API sector.