New Delhi, Sept 1 (KNN) The pharma sector in the state of Kerala comprising of over 60 per cent Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are not in the best shape, the sector needs strategic support from the state as well as the central government, Kerala Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KPMA) said.

Talking to KNN, K.P Purshottam, President of Kerala Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association informed that the sector in recent times is on a down graph as compared to the similar industry elsewhere in the country.

Purshottam informed that the prime problem faced by the pharma industry is the lack of marketing mechanism. With no proper marketing structure for the pharma MSMEs in the state, the manufacturers have to be dependent on government tenders, but not all MSMEs are capable to bid for the tender.

He added that the sector also is denied of incentives and subsidies that any other industry facing similar situation might have been provided.

Responding to the news reports surfacing that the state government is in the process of drafting a dedicated framework for the pharma sector in Kerala, Purshottam said that the industry is in dire need of the policy. He however maintained that as of now there are no bright signs of anything coming up for the sector.

Earlier the state department organized workshop for the pharma units in which the government promised a pharma park in the Cochin region.

The government also assured setting up of Kerala Generics- a dedicated supply store chain to tackle the problem of marketing in the state, but an official notification is yet to come, he added. (KNN/ DA)