Regulators should be very cautious while clearing the medicines from quality and efficacy point of view and regulatory framework will be strong enough to have full control of quality parameters by establishing well equipped testing labs. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while interacting with the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Industry of Himachal Pradesh here today.He said that the State Government has initiated steps at Administrative, Legislative and Regulatory level to check the menace of drugs being misused as intoxicants. Value of human life was more important than anything else thus, there should be no scope of escape for those compromising on quality and efficacy, he added.Chief Minister said that the Pharma sector and the cosmetic sector in the State was playing a vital role not only in providing ample employment opportunities to the youth of the State but also strengthening economic activities in the region. He said that basic amenities such as roads, health, education and water supply etc. would be strengthened in the Baddi-Brotiwala-Nalagarh in order to facilitate the entrepreneurs.He said that the Government would sympathetically consider all the issues raised by the representatives of the Pharma Industries for providing them better facilities.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the issue of Change of Land Use for industrial purpose would be considered sympathetically in order to facilitate the entrepreneurs. He said that the government would provide best possible cooperation to the industrialists so that they can set up their units in the State. He said that the efforts would be made to provide best transportation facilities to the industrialists to transport their products smoothly to different parts of the country. He said that more such interactive meetings would be held with the representatives of Pharma industry so that better understanding and rapport could be developed. Chief Minister was presented cheques worth Rs 1.44 crore by several industrial houses on the occasion towards the Chief Minister Relief Fund. He thanked the industrialists for contributing generously towards this philanthropic cause and said that the contributions would go a long way in providing much needed relief to the poor at the time of distress and illness.Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said that the Pharma industry in the State flourished in the State due to the special Industrial package for the State announced in the year 2003.He said that almost the third medicine used has been manufactured in the Baddi-Brotiwala-Nalagarh area of the State.
He said that the medicine manufactured must be affordable and within the reach of the poor patients. He said that the State Government was also committed for providing affordable health care facilities to the people of the State. He said that the State Government would ensure all possible help to the Pharma Industries in the State. He said that the Government would take strict action against those involved in manufacturing of substandard medicines.Additional Chief Secretary Health Shir B.K. Aggarwal said that Himachal has emerged as the biggest pharmaceutical hub of the country. He said that the pharmaceutical industry was producing medicines worth Rs. 40,000 crore in the State annually and out of which medicines worth Rs. 10,000 crore was being exported. He said that the special stress was being laid on effective check on drug abuse. As many as 186 inspections have been carried out to check misuse of drugs, he added. He said that a drug testing lab would be setup at Baddi in Solan district soon.Director Health Safety and Regulation Dr Naresh Kumar Lath welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion.Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Singh, Chief Drug Controller Navneet Marwah, Director Information and Public Relations Anupam Kashyap, representatives of Pharma industry were present of the occasion among others.