Encouraging project at Uttarakhand pharma cluster

Thanks to a three-year project by the World Bank and the UK Department for International Development, in association with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi), Uttarakhand’s 200-odd pharmaceutical companies, mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are set to realise their export potential.

The aim of the project was to implement good manufacturing practices (GMP) and impart training in information and communication technology (ICT), energy saving and skill enhancement. Apitco, a Hyderabad-based technical consultancy organisation, was the facilitator.

“Nearly 20 companies have already become WHO-GMP-certified and I am sure this cluster is going to be the country’s best export hub,” said Pankaj Gupta, president of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand. The Dehradun pharma cluster is one of the leading ones in India. There are 12 large enterprises and 182 SMEs, with an investment of Rs 1,100 crore and a turnover of Rs 2,500 crore. These firms export pharma products worth Rs 250 crore a year and employ 8,000 persons.

“It was indeed a beneficial experience for all pharma companies part of this exercise. We hope we will do better in future,” said Pramod Kalani, president of the Uttarakhand Drug Manufacturers Association.

A K Pandey, deputy general manager of Sidbi, Dehradun, said: “Through this project, skills of technical staff have been upgraded. Awareness has been created on quality, energy, ICT and safety.”

The GMP guidelines cover all facets of a pharma unit — from raw material to finished goods and end-users. These norms cover all factors of production, including men, material, machines, methods and management, and documentation and data management at all levels.

“Such multi-faceted norms and guidelines help the units to devise, follow and monitor on a continuous basis, leading to strict adherence to specifications, quality tests and quality assurance,” said an Apitco official. About 35 units implemented the GMP norms. Thus, fewer complaints have come from customers. This has boosted  business prospects.

The energy-saving exercise also has a fruitful result. Of the 19 enterprises where walk-through audits were conducted, nine came forward to allow detailed audits in their units. Apitco facilitated services of the Association of Energy Conservation and Environment Protection, Dehradun, to conduct detailed audits. The business development services provider completed the audits in two months and produced detailed reports of each enterprise.

A quick analysis of companies such as Natco Pharma and Yash Pharma, both SMEs, revealed the impact of the energy-saving exercise had yielded the desired results in terms of electricity bills. Quality compliance has been increased in 88 firms and this resulted in a 15 per cent rise in business from contract firms. Cluster turnover is expected to increase by 12 per cent.