The Uttar Pradesh government is considering fresh incentives and a new drug policy for the pharma sector, an official said on Tuesday.
"The state government is contemplating special provisions, which may be in the form of a sector-specific policy or package, for encouraging the pharma sector industry," the official said.
With regards to the special package, a meeting was held on Monday between officials of the infrastructure and industrial development, Udyog Bandhu -- the investment facilitation agency of state government, drug administration and medical and health.
Principal Secretary and Executive Director of Udyog Bandhu Mahesh Kumar Gupta pointed out that owing to steps taken by the state government, there has been a markable improvement in perception and 'Brand UP' is fast gaining credibility amongst investors.
"Time is ripe for promoting specific manufacturing sectors in the state, hence the government is seriously considering facilitative provisions for Pharmaceutical and Drugs industry and consultations with all stakeholders have already begun", he added.
Joint Executive Director of Udyog Bandhu Kanchan Verma said under the new initiative, apart from other provisions, the focus would be on adoption of good manufacturing practices, technology upgradation, logistics and setting up of more testing labs.
Assistant Commissioner of Drug Administration A.K. Malhotra informed that there were around 450 pharma units in the state and that most of them were concentrated in Ghaziabad and Gautambudh Nagar districts with thin presence in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Aligarh and Gorakhpur towns.
According to UP Drugs Manufacturers Association, Uttar Pradesh has nearly 17 percent market share of national sale turnover of about Rs.90,000 crore in pharma sector.IANS
