Pharmexcil to get new Chairman, Vice Chairman

Sairaj Aiyyar

Pharmexcil will soon be headed by a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman, to govern the 6th committee of administration. A formal notification on the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council’s (Pharmexcil) website pointed out to an impending election notification, and sought nominations from its members. This is in line with the Commerce ministry’s regulations that took some time due to various internal issues. But this development is a self-inspired one, as the notification on its website explains in detail.
The notification details how the council is acting on a letter dated 7th December 2015 from the Ministry of Commerce, which directs the council to follow election guidelines and comply with para 2.92 of the Foreign Trade Policy handbook before 31st March 2016. Para 2.92 of the FTP Handbook Procedure speaks about trade practices, transparency and good governance. The para also states that non-compliance could mean the council will be barred from dispensing RCMC (registration cum membership) certificates to its members. The trade policy explains RCMC, as a certificate of registration and membership granted by an Export Promotion Council / Commodity Board / Development Authority or other competent authority as prescribed in FTP or Handbook of Procedures. Failure to comply could also withhold the council’s market-access and market-development funds.
The website reads: “It is very important for Pharmexcil to conduct the election in order to renew RCMC for 2016-2017 for 4500 members without which exports will come to a standstill. Because Noncompliance to the handbook of procedure 2015, for the election of Vice President is a major roadblocks for the renewal RCMC’s.”
Certain media vehicles alleged that the election process was a farce, and the council reeked of governance and transparency issues. A media source also alleged the turn of events as a “game of hide-and-seek” that threatened the $20bn sector. A release pointed out how members remained in the dark, due to serious governance and transparency issues. Dr. P.V. Appaji, Director General and Member secretary, was confident that the members did not espouse of any issue, while labelling the notification as “routine matters that organizations would take up.”
The Dollar Business also spoke to a few exporters, who pointed out on the condition of anonymity that that there is no transparency related issue as such, but one or two cases such as the issue of barcoding, which could help the industry. According to an exporter, the barcoding adds to expense, causing entrepreneurs to lose out to China, which would impact in the long run.
While it can be argued that the council is two months late in conforming with the FTP policy, it does seem like the agency is headed in the right direction. Earlier the council was acknowledged by the ministry for putting a formidable show at Mumbai, and getting over 600 international delegates to participate over a 3 day international pharmaceutical expo. The Rs.300 crore expo displayed India’s formidable pharmaceutical business while converting many business leads