NIPER may allow drug makers to access facility

The institute will offer analytical and testing services to these enterprises on payment of a nominal fee.

NIPER centres that deal with instrumentation, safety pharmacology, pharmacoinformatics, bioavailability and technology development are preparing to offer these services.

Several leading pharma companies are currently utilising the technology development facility and research labs. The move is particularly good news for drug units in the tax-free areas of Baddi and Solan in Himachal Pradesh as few units here have full fledged research facilities.

The government is in the process of replicating the NIPER facility in six other centres across the country. In addition to offering more masters and doctoral degrees in different streams of pharmaceutical sciences, these centres may also become the knowledge servicing hub for the drug manufacturing SMEs.

According to officials, the NIPER may also be asked to publicise the equipment, techniques and facilities that are available at such services centres for the benefit of these drug SMEs. The long-term objective of the ministry is to see technology improvement.

The ministry has also proposed the setting up of a dedicated