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Annoyed over Union health ministry decision, BDPMA to approach state govt for support of local pharma companies
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
February 15 , 2025
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Miffed with the conditional extension for the implementation of revised Schedule M in respect of small and medium manufacturers having turnover of Rs. 250 crore or less, the Bihar Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (BDPMA) has decided to approach their state government for a roadmap for the upliftment of local pharma manufacturing units.
The drug manufacturers have also decided to appeal to the state government for a special policy and package for the local industries.
Soon after the final notification was issued by the Union health ministry on February 11, the BDPMA called a meeting of its members and expressed their dissent over the centre’s decision, and decided to approach the state government for help and support, said Sanjiv Rai, president of the association.
What annoyed and hurt the BDPMA most is that the union government has not heeded to their pleas for removal of conditions and dispensing of financial and technical assistances to transform the manufacturing facilities to the world standards as proposed in the revised schedule. Sanjiv Rai has been writing to the central government since 2023 onwards, when the first notification came, to provide a special package for the Bihar pharma industries citing various reasons affecting specially to the state. But all his pleas went unheeded, and no relief was given to the state.
According to Rai, Bihar cannot be compared with any other state in the country as it is still lagging behind in terms of overall progress and development. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical industry in the state is producing quality products complying with all rules and regulations. He said the association has on several occasions wanted the government of India to create a friendly atmosphere to the Bihar pharma manufacturing units, as well as to the start-ups. As far as the state pharma sector is concerned, the conditions put forward by the health ministry in implementing the new GMP are actually creating hurdles for its growth.
Sticking on his earlier decision, Rai said “either the centre should give special packages to Bihar based drug manufacturers or lower the tax structure. So that we can compete with other pharma industry players in the country”. Now we are forced to urge the state government to call a meeting of local drug manufacturers to draw a specific road map for the upliftment of manufacturing units operating in various parts of the state.
Talking about the Bihar pharmaceutical sector, Sanjiv Rai said the industry is passing through a very pathetic situation, and in the midst of all struggles it will be difficult for all the units to comply with the conditions in 12 months. So, a solution must be found by the state government for the continued operation of the industries.
He said the total production of pharmaceuticals in India comes around Rs. 250 lakh crore, but Bihar’s contribution is only Rs. 110 crore. The reason is lack of support from the government and the stringent rules and regulations. The state has less than 90 drug manufacturing units at present.
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