Take care of environment impact, groundwater, Baddi MSMEs urged
Solan, July 16
Anti-microbial resistance is increasing in the industrial cluster of Baddi and investors should give due attention to the environmental impact of industrial activities. Though the industry is contributing towards the gross domestic produce in a big way, it should also care for the environmental impact and groundwater, which has to be used by posterity, said Palka Sahni, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, today during a national conference on enhancing Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance through Good Manufacturing Practices at Baddi.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers, organised the event in collaboration with the PHDCCI.
She said, “Baddi has carved a niche for itself in the international market in the pharmaceutical sector. The pharma manufactures have to become the creators of bulk drugs and not to rely on other nations while ensuring that their products do not fail test at any level.”
She urged the investors to opt for the Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme that offered financial assistance in upgrading the manufacturing facilities. She said that 100 applications had been received till June end and she expected 300 MSME entrepreneurs would apply under the scheme by the year-end.
Palka said, “The pharmaceutical sector has a major role to play in the nation’s economy where the adoption of good manufacturing practices and quality assurance norms can enhance its export participation.” She urged the MSMEs to enhance their export orientation and invest in the upcoming Rs 1,000-crore bulk drug park at Haroli.
She said, “The MSME units can focus on enhancing their efficiency by saving on expenses on common facilities such as effluent treatment plants and testing labs by opting to invest in the bulk drug park. We expect 70 to 80 units from Himachal to invest in the project.”
“The Covid era exposed the nation’s dependency on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and key materials of APIs like vitamin B and clavunalate being unavailable. The MSMEs should focus on bulk drug manufacturing to reduce dependence on other nations,” she added.
