DoP steps on gas to expedite bulk drugs park infra

In an effort to help reduce the manufacturing cost of bulk drugs and also enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industry, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is expediting the process of developing infrastructure for bulk drug parks with the State governments.

- Our Bureaus, New Delhi, Mumbai

As the scheme progresses, projects therein mature and bulk drug units within the upcoming parks start manufacturing, it is expected that there would be improved self-reliance and resilience in supply of bulk drugs in the country.

However, some of the projects have been facing various delays and with the scheme expected to come to a close in the financial year 2024-25, the DoP has of last extended the scheme to one more year, till March, 2026.

Deploring the slow pace of expenditure by the three States on the scheme, the Parliamentary Panel on Chemicals and Fertilisers had earlier recommended that, “the bulk drug parks may be given a concrete shape and should be made ready by March, 2026 invariably”.

The Department has recently informed the Panel that it has been engaging continuously with the state implementing agencies (SIAs) of the three bulk drug parks to support the development of these parks.

Under the scheme, which has a total budgetary outlay of Rs 3,000 crore. “...three parks have been approved and are at various stages of development in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, through their respective State Implementing Agencies,” said the Ministry of Chemicals in the Parliament recently.