Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare recently virtually inaugurated Sadhana Nitro Chem Ltd.’s Para Amino Phenol (pAP) bulk drug plant, amongst 26 other greenfield bulk drug park projects and 13 greenfield manufacturing plants for medical devices.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Mandaviya said, “Medicines are an essential requirement for any society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the dangers of supply chain getÝng affected, the risks of being highly dependent on imports of critical resources like bulk drugs and medical devices and its potential effects on India’s pharma and MedTech sector led to a lot of brainstorming within the Union Government. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is a result of these wide-ranging discussions.”

Expressing his elation at the inauguration of these greenfield projects under the PLI scheme, the Union Minister said, “it is noteworthy that today India has not only reduced its dependence on medicines, API and medical devices, the country is also emerging as a major exporter of these products, thanks to the success of the PLI scheme.” 

India is the 3rd largest player in drugs and pharmaceuticals by volume with an estimated industry size of US$50 billion in 2022-23 and exports accounting for 50% of the production. It is anticipated to reach a size of around US$130 billion by 2030. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as ‘the pharmacy of the world’, contributes immensely to global public health and promotes universal healthcare access. India is the world's largest provider of generic medicines by volume, with a 20% share of total global generic supplies. It has the highest number of USFDA approved plants outside of the US and over 2000 WHO GMP certified plants in the country.

Talking about the development, Abhishek Javeri, MD, Sadhana Nitro Chem Ltd., added, “The virtual inauguration by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, underscores the government's commitment to fostering indigenous manufacturing capabilities in critical pharmaceutical components.

Global supply chains, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, have been exposed to vulnerabilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the inauguration of our pAP plant under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, we are not only contributing to reducing India's dependence on imports but also positioning the country as a key exporter of pharmaceutical products and formulations.

As only the second plant in the world to manufacture pAP from Nitrobenzene, we are proud to pioneer environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. With our PLI scheme award and current production ramp-up, we are poised to contribute to the domestic production of pAP, a critical ingredient in the manufacturing of essential drugs like Paracetamol. As a result of our efforts, we are confident that not only will India's pharmaceutical ecosystem be strengthened, but that millions of people will have better access to quality healthcare worldwide.

As we continue to expand our manufacturing capabilities and contribute to the growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, we express our gratitude to the government, regulatory authorities, and our stakeholders for their unwavering support. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for India's pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.”