Pollux embarks on training mission

Taking a cue from the Drug Controller General of India's circular, skill development firm Pollux has drawn an initial training calendar to empower 5,000 personnel across pharmaceutical clusters in Maharashtra.
Pollux has been mandated by Life Science Sector Skills Development Council (LSSSDC), established under the Ministry of Skill Development, to upgrade skill-sets among emerging pharmacists to bridge the industry-academia gap, a media release said.
The DCGI circular states, "Keeping in view, the objective of bringing substantial improvement in the quality of pharmaceutical products, it has become imperative that all personnel employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing units shall undergo the certification programs developed by LSSSDC".

"With effect from January 1 next year, no person shall be employed in any pharmaceutical/bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing units unless he has obtained a formal diploma or degree in the relevant area, or has been certified by the LSSSDC or equivalent organisation in the area in which he is deployed," it added.
Hemant Deshpande, CEO of Pollux said, "We have received encouraging feedback from pharmaceutical companies like USV among others so far. We are equipped to align our training calendar in sync with the proportionate response."
"Pollux has the bench strength of experience pharmaceutical professional to not only cater to the geographical space of Maharashtra, but also the entire western region of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa," Deshpande added.

Moreover, from a pharmaceutical industry perspective, the budget initiative of Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) to be launched in 2017-18 at a cost of Rs 2,200 crores would be of great help for the Indian pharma industry, said Deshpande.