Manufacturers shifting to ethanol-based sanitisers

Ambika Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Solan, April 18

Manufacturers of sanitizers in Himachal are shifting to extra neutral alcohol (ENA)-based formulations due to the shortage of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a key ingredient of sanitizer. The state government has also permitted all distilleries registered with the Excise and Taxation Department to supply bulk ENA to drug manufacturers till May 15.

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved a formulation having 80 per cent ethanol (also known as ENA) along with hydrogen peroxide, glycerol and sterile water, the production of these sanitiser types has started in the state.

Sanjay Kundu, Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation Department, said that to meet the burgeoning demand of sanitizers in the state and the nation, 57 industrial units had been given licences to manufacture ENA-based sanitizers.

This has also proved to be a blessing in disguise for pharmaceutical companies that have witnessed a sharp decline in production due to high raw material prices and unavailability of adequate workforce. A large number of micro, small and medium enterprises are among the manufacturers that have been allowed to manufacture ENA-based sanitisers.

Deputy Drug Controller Manish Kapoor said the number of applications for manufacturing ENA-based sanitisers was increasing. Even those with permission to manufacture IPA-based sanitisers were now seeking fresh approvals for the new formulation, he added.

After seeking approval from the drug control department, the manufacturers have to seek a licence for the new formulation from the Excise and Taxation Department.

There are 155 sanitiser manufacturers in the state and 57 of them have sought permission for ENA-based formulations. Ten licences have been issued in Parwanoo in the last two weeks while four to five manufacturers are applying for licence on a daily basis.

Pramod Chandra, General Manager, Morepen Labs, which has recently secured permission for ENA-based formulation, said they were manufacturing about 50,000 bottles of sanitiser everyday.

Since the price of a litre of IPA is Rs 170 and that of ENA is Rs 70, it helps manufacturers to produce a sanitiser at the cost fixed by the Union Government.