The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Drug units told to maintain zero pollution levels

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Drug units told to maintain zero pollution levels

Special Correspondent

State to discuss lifting ban on setting up new units

Ban clamped due to pollution-related issues pertaining to the industry
Government open to suggestions to promote industrial growth

HYDERABAD: Minister for Major Industries J. Geeta Reddy has assured the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA) that she would address the issues raised by them, including the revocation of ban on setting up of or expansion of bulk drug manufacturing units in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts.

Inaugurating a national seminar on ‘Globalisation of pharma industry–a perspective’ here on Monday, she said that the ban was clamped due to pollution-related issues and urged the manufacturers to achieve ‘zero pollution levels’. On the plea for establishing common effluent treatment plants (ETPs) for small and medium bulk drug plants, she said the Government was open to suggestions to promote industrial growth.

She said that the Indian pharma industry was registering a consistent growth of 22 per cent every year due to increased opportunities in contract manufacturing (US $ 2 billion by 2010) and global clinical trials (US $ 1.23 billion by 2010). mull

Earlier, president of the BDMA M. Narayana Reddy made out a strong case about the problems confronting the industry and said if the ban on the units continued, the State would lose its top position in bulk drugs production.

Higher pay

Former Director of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology A.V. Rama Rao, in his key-note address, said restoration of excellence in science education in Osmania and Andhra universities was imperative. He wanted higher pay for scientists in public sector and stressed the need for industry-academia interaction.

He lamented that at least 16 companies were fighting amongst themselves for intellectual property rights over a drug for hypertension by filing DMFs (drug master files).

Managing director of Dr. Reddy’s Labs K. Satish Reddy wanted greater investments in research and development. Collaborating IP to move the value chain, enhancing global footprint in niche areas, addressing global healthcare needs, expanding critical mass, tap the low-cost advantage, enhancing talented human resources and providing access and affordability of drugs to consumers would multiply the industry’s growth, he observed.

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