'Pharma sector: Clusters to help small units to scale-up with minimum cost'

Jayarama Emani | The Dollar Business

The recently launched Clusters Development Programme (CDP) for Pharma Sector is a very good scheme that will boost the small scale industry (SSI), said an expert. Speaking to The Dollar Business, Dr. P V Appaji, Director-General, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), said “The CDP scheme is formulated with specific focus on SSIs. Any 10 members can form a society and avail Rs 20 crore fund support from government for development of their cluster. Pharmexcil will study the scheme in detail and will support the members all over India for cluster growth. Though the amounts involved are small, we are confident it will work good for the small units.” The following benefits are likely to accrue from the programme to the SSIs – Increasing the competitiveness within SSIs, easy access to standard testing facilities and value addition in the domestic pharma industry especially to SMEs through creation of common world class facilities. Secondly, strengthening the existing infrastructure facilities in order to make Indian Pharma industry a global leader in pharma exports. Third, reducing the cost of production by up to 20% in the clusters leading to better availability and affordability medicines in domestic market. Fourth, helps industry to meet the requirements of standards environment at a reduced cost through innovative methods of common waste management and finally, eExploit the benefits arising due to optimization of resources and economies of scale.  

June 20, 2015 | 07:15 pm IST.