Hyderabad, September 18: Chief minister K Rosaiah on Friday urged the international community of vaccine manufacturers, researchers and multilateral organisations to come up with practical solutions to safeguard public health interests.
Delivering the inaugural address at the International Vaccine Technology Workshop,’ he said, “The global spread of infectious diseases such as influenza and the emergence of dengue and chikungunya require urgent attention and action of vaccine experts, vaccine policy makers and governments to control and prevent the onslaught of vaccinepreventable infectious diseases.”
Currently, several major vaccine producers including Bharat Biotech, Indian Immunologicals, Shantha Biotech, BiologicalE and Blobion have established base in Hyderabad. The state also has stateoftheart infrastructure to facilitate research activities, developing human resources and establishing links among research institutions.
“Our government through APIIC allocated 200 acres for setting up medical and biomedical devices,” he explained adding that the government recently announced an investorfriendly industrial policy that gives the muchneeded fillip to micro, small and medium enterprises.
Addressing the gathering in a separate event organised by Bulk Drugs Manufacturers Association (India), he said that the AP contributes 40 percent to the total Indian bulk drug production and about 50 percent to bulk drug exports. Currently, the size of the pharma industry is pegged at $21.04 billion, of which domestic market comprises $12.26 billion and is expected to touch $20 billion by 2015.
“To promote pharma exports in the state, our government has promoted five pharma SEZs and four biotech SEZs. The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council has been set up to promote pharma exports,” he explained.
He added that the state is also promoting another pharma cluster set up with a cost of Rs 66.16 crore.
Talking about the quality of manpower, the chief minister said, “There is a need to promote quality education to enable pharma stundents acquire the right kind of skills.
The industry has to work closely with pharma colleges to share the inputs on the industry requirement,” he said.
–Agencies