New Delhi, June 18 (KNN) With the view to boost the small and medium pharma units, government has launched a Cluster Development Programme for Pharma Sector (CD-PS) to provide support to the pharmaceutical industry in becoming more capable, productive and competitive.

The Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar on Wednesday launched the Programme which will be implemented on a public private partnership (PPP) format through one time grant-in-aid to be released for creation of identified infrastructure and common facilities.

The scheme is for setting up of new clusters as well as up-gradation of existing clusters.  Rs125 Crores have been earmarked for the Central Sector Scheme for the 12th Five Year Plan.

The Cluster Development Programme will provide pharma sector with benefits like  increasing the competitiveness, easy access to standard testing facilities and value addition in the domestic pharma industry especially to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through creation of common world class facilities; strengthening the existing infrastructure facilities in order to make Indian pharma industry a global leader in pharma exports; reducing the cost of production by up to 20 per cent in the clusters leading to better availability and affordability medicines in domestic market; helping industry meet the requirements of standards environment at a reduced cost through innovative methods of common waste management and  exploiting the benefits arising due to optimization of resources and economies of scale, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has said in an official statement.

Kumar said that these clusters will ensure adequate testing, training and affluent treatment facilities for pharmaceuticals industry.

Availability, quality and affordability of drugs and medicines is uttermost important for common man and the cluster development programme will be the key step in ensuring health security of the country, he said.

He also announced that that by the end of this financial year, 06 Pharma Clusters are likely to come up of which 03 will be greenfields. The government will also come up with the bulk drugs parks and the medical devices parks.

On the occasion, the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said private sector is playing a lead role in the production of Generic medicines and this programme will help in its holistic expansion.

The Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals VK Subburaj said that the pharmaceutical industry is growing at 14 to 15 per cent per annum and is likely to touch the figure of 4 lakh crore by 2020.  The sector needs due attention so that the quality can be improved and cost brought down. (KNN/ST)