New Delhi, Sept 15 (KNN) The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the pharma sector in Kerala has submitted a memorandum to the state as well as the central government demanding appropriate handholding policy with special focus on ensuring procurement from the MSME sector,  Kerala Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KPMA) informed.

Talking to KNN, K.P Purshottam, President of KPMA informed that the sector is not in its best shape and the number of MSMEs in the pharma sector has fallen sharply because of a multiplicity of reasons.

To cope up with the deteriorating business ecosystem for the MSMEs in the state, the government must immediately come up with a dedicated policy for the sector.

Listing demands, Purshottam informed that the pharma plants have to keep up with technology in order to meet the WHO standards. This up scaling of the manufacturing chains require a lot of financial input, the government should consider handholding the MSMEs in such a scenario.

He further explained that the pharma MSMEs seems to be out of the planning framework and the government is primarily focussing on the I.T industry.

“Like the I.T industry, there should be committed focus on the pharma sector as well because it has got huge potential both for supplies in India as well as to other countries.” Purshottam said.

Highlighting the problems in obtaining orders, Purshottam lamented that there is no preferential procurement mechanism because of which the MSMEs feel discouraged in the state.

“Government must figure out ways to make in mandatory for the government organizations to go for a minimum 25 per cent procurement from the MSME sector for its pharmaceutical needs, this will help the grappling sector with fresh orders and also encourage the entrepreneurs to step up in the sector” he added. (KNN/ DA)