Gujarat gets 3 pharma parks

AHMEDABAD: The Centre on Thursday offered to develop three pharma sector parks or clusters in Guj arat and prom ised funds to develop phar ma, bulk drugs and medical devices parks in the state. The Gujarat government on the other hand also expressed its commitment take concrete actions in the direction.
The Centre has planned to develop six pharma clusters in India, where the cost of infrastructure creation will be borne by the Union government.Of these, Gujarat now has the chance to develop three.
“If you want to set up parks for formulations or bulk drugs or medical devices in Gujarat, government of India will provide finance for all the three parks,“ Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers, Ananth Kumar, said at the 7th edition of Pharmac India 2016 in Ahmedabad. The exhibition has been organised by Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA).
“We have now given challenge to the state government and industry by offering to help set up three parks in the state. Now, they should come forward and take up the challenge,“ he added.
“We want the first such pharma park to come up in Gujarat. Complete all the required procedures in coming one month so that we come back here for the stone laying of the park,“ the minister said highlighting that the state can become Gujarat can be a pharma hub of not just India but of the world. Thanking the Centre for its resolve to set up three parks in Gujarat, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani expressed the state's commitment to take decisive steps for implementation of these proposals. Rupani inaugurated the exhibition in presence of the Union minister.
“The manufacturing cost will come down by 30%-40% al lowing you to compete with the world and even China,“ added Ananth Kumar, who had earlier in December last year announced the Centre's plans to set up medical devices park in the state. Meanwhile, Gujarat government has also identified a land in Sanand near Ahmedabad for development of pharma park under the Central government scheme.
Ananth Kumar hails Army, PM for surgical strikes
Union minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday hailed the Indian Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying out surgical strikes against terror launch pads along the Line of Control. He also took a dig at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for demanding proof of the anti-terror action.
“It is because of the bravery of our soldiers, who carried out surgical strikes across LoC, that we here in India, Gujarat and at this event are presently able to do our work peacefully, we should thank them and salute them,“ the minister said while speaking at Pharmac India 2016 exhibition.
Rupani to unveil new health policy
In what could attract investment in pharma sector and boost medical tourism in the state, Gujarat government is planning to unveil a new health policy. The government is currently working on the policy, which will have among other things incentives for the industry. “We will invite suggestions from the industry and after considering them, a policy will be announced soon,“ CM Vijay Rupani said.