Government plans to set up 10 pharma clusters

The Government is planning to come up with 10 pharma clusters in the country to give a boost to manufacturing activity in this sector. Ananth Kumar, chemicals and fertilizers minister, said that these clusters will provide common facilities to the pharmaceutical industry, and help them hive off up to 25% of the cost, making them globally competitive. He said that for these clusters, a strategy has been decided for early implementation.
 
Releasing the report of the 12th National Pharmaceuticals Conclave on March 20, 2015, in New Delhi, the Minister said that that there are valuable suggestions in the report which will be promptly examined, and taken up for action. He said that the Government wants to ensure that four pillars of the industry - quality, affordability, availability and stability are in position.
 
He said that the Government wants to provide health security for the poor people of the country, and this requires innovative strategies, like supply of generic medicines, building domestic capacity in bulk drugs, and making pharma sector competitive. Ananth Kumar said that unified policy, regulation and administration mechanism is required for the pharmaceutical industry, and he has recommended to the Prime Minister to set up a separate department for the same.
 
He said that on the issue of Bulk drugs production in the country, Katoch committee report has been received in the Ministry, and an action plan is being prepared for its implementation. Once its recommendations are put in place, it will make Indian industry viable and competitive.
 
The objective of the National Pharmaceuticals Conclave - which was jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India – is to bring together all stakeholders for facilitating meaningful discussions on the challenges and possible mechanisms for countering it.