GSK Pharma begins work to setup Rs 1,000-cr mfg unit

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals today began work for setting up a Rs 1,000 crore pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Karnataka.
Work on GSK India's new Rs 1,000 crore pharmaceutical factory at Vemgal in Karnataka started today as the company restated its commitment to ensuring access to its medicines, a company statement here said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation
stone in the presence of UK's Minister of State for Trade and Investment Francis Maude.
It will be fully operational in 2017 and will make more than 8 billion tablets and 1 billion capsules for the Indian market. The facility will be built on a 50-acre site in Vemgal, it said.

The facility will also include a warehouse, site infrastructure, employee welfare centre and utilities to support the manufacturing and packing of medicines.

"GSK has been at the forefront of serving the healthcare
needs of India for more than 90 years," company's Managing Director Annaswamy Vaidheesh said.
He added, "We fully support the Government in their efforts to increase access to affordable medicines to improve healthcare and we are very excited to begin work on what will become our largest manufacturing facility in India."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals plant in Kolar district is yet another major investment by a multinational company in Karnataka which hopefully, will prompt other companies to come and invest in the State.