BULK DRUG

Subject : Science & tech

Context : Himachal Pradesh Government has identified around 1400 acres in Una district and sent a proposal to the centre seeking grant to set up a bulk drug park.

Concept :

• A bulk drug, also called an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), is the key ingredient of a drug or medicine, which lends it the desired therapeutic effect or produces the intended pharmacological activity. For example, paracetamol is a bulk drug, which acts against pain.
• Bulk drugs are mixed with binding agents or solvents to prepare the finished pharmaceutical product, ie a paracetamol tablet, capsule or syrup, which is consumed by the patient.

Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks Scheme

• Number of Parks: The government aims to develop 3 mega Bulk Drug parks in India in partnership with States.
• Funding: Government of India will give Grants-in-Aid to States with a maximum limit of Rs. 1000 Crore per Bulk Drug Park.
• A sum of Rs. 3,000 crore has been approved for this scheme for next 5 years.
• Facilities: Parks will have common facilities such as solvent recovery plant, distillation plant, power & steam units, common effluent treatment plant etc.
• Need of the Scheme: Despite being 3rd largest in the world by volume the Indian pharmaceutical industry is significantly dependent on import of basic raw materials, viz., Bulk Drugs that are used to produce medicines. In some specific bulk drugs the import dependence is 80 to 100%.
• Objectives: The scheme is expected to reduce manufacturing cost of bulk drugs in the country and dependency on other countries for bulk drugs.
• The scheme will also help in providing continuous supply of drugs and ensure delivery of affordable healthcare to the citizens.
• Implementation: The scheme will be implemented by State Implementing Agencies (SIA) to be set up by the respective State Governments.