Himachal Pradesh Pharma Units Seek Government Help

SHIMLA: Amid the nationwide lockdown, the Himachal Pradesh-based pharmaceutical industries have sought government’s help in resolving their issues related to procurement of raw materials and shortage of manpower to ensure a steady supply of essential drugs and sanitisers.

In a letter written to chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, the Himachal Drugs Manufacturers Association (HPDMA) has stated that some practical problems need to be resolved immediately to prevent the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) units from dying a “natural death”.

Himachal Pradesh has a total of 550 pharma units, of which 500 are MSMEs, while the remaining 50 are large industries.

HDMA president Dr Rajesh Gupta has written that currently, only 50% of the units are functioning, as many MSME players are facing problems in procuring raw material, mostly due black marketing of such material.

He said detection of Covid-19 cases in Jharmajri area of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt has resulted in shutting down of 45 pharmaceutical units. He said as Covid-19 pandemic is likely to persist for the next two-three months, a roadmap for up to September is required .-Times Of India