Facing challenges to access essential technical services, quality testing, research and development, besides regulatory services at competitive rates, a Contract Research Organisation (CRO)-cum-Centre of Excellence is being set up at Baddi nearly two-and-a-half decade after the drug firms began their operations here. The Central Government is contributing Rs 20 crore for this centre, while the state government is providing land as its share.
The Himachal Drug Manufacturing Association (HMDA) is partnering with Mohali-based National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) to address the technological requirements through this centre. It is the first such initiative in the state to promote research and development, along with modern technology adoption.
“In a bid to work out the future strategy, the HMDA held its first meeting with representatives of NIPER at Baddi today where the broader nitty-gritty details of this centre were discussed,” said HDMA president Dr Rajesh Gupta.
Elaborating further, Dr Gupta said, “The upcoming CRO will strengthen the pharmaceutical sector, which contributes 5.5 per cent of the State Gross Domestic Product. It will integrate all technology and service solutions required by the pharmaceutical industry. It is slated to achieve economies of scale while promoting efficiency.”
As per the gap analysis undertaken by the pharma investors, the state lacks an integrated facility encompassing essential services for research and development under a single roof. This includes key sectors like quality control, formulation and development, innovation in drug formulation, integration of data and artificial intelligence, cleaner production technologies and operational efficiency. The industries in the state are not only slow to adopt modern technological advancements in areas like quality control, regulatory compliance and manufacturing processes, but this laxity profoundly hits their market competitiveness, observe the industry experts.
It also creates a gap that necessitates additional expenditures for the industry, particularly the cash-strapped Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), while exacerbating their reliance in the market and hindering their ability to operate and innovate.
“The state currently does not possess a specialised facility dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector for skill enhancement of the existing workforce and the advancement of process efficiencies. This forces the pharmaceutical companies to depend on external sources which enhances cost leading to extended timelines while impacting the efficiency and competitiveness of these companies,” explained Dr Gupta.
The MSMEs which dominate the state’s pharmaceutical sector face slew of barriers in the market due to lack of adherence to high-quality standards which further hits their competitiveness.
“The upcoming centre of excellence will play a key role by providing customised training module for the skill enhancement of existing workforce, establishing strategic partnerships with academic institutions and research organisations to enhance the competitiveness of the industry,” added Dr Gupta.
The collaboration will also facilitate the consolidation of new product development and testing services thereby promoting innovation.
