Govt working to reduce bulk drug imports by setting up manufacturing units

The government is working on the recommendations of Katoch Committee in order to reduce import of bulk drugs.

"We are working on the recommendations...We have also taken note of other suggestions we have received. The aim is to reduce dependency on imports," Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told reporters on Tuesday.

The government will go ahead with the mega parks for bulk drugs, he added.

Ahir was speaking on the sidelines of 13th Pharmaceutical Conclave organised by industry body CII in partnership with Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The government had earlier said "it is examining the recommendations of the committee which has recommended establishment of mega parks for APIs with common facilities".

Many state governments have shown interest in setting up bulk drug manufacturing units and soon the country will have many such hubs, Pharmaceuticals Secretary V K Subburaj said.

This will reduce the capital expenditure on production of bulk drugs, he added.

The government had set up a committee headed by Secretary, Health Research, V M Katoch to suggest ways to reduce dependency on bulk drug imports from China.