Pharmac India 2013 by IDMA at Hitex Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad

Pharmac India 2013

The 4th edition of the mega pharma event inaugurated in Hyderabad

· Entire Pharma industry under one roof, More than 150 exhibitors, Participation of 5000 trade visitors

Hyderabad, 5 September, 2013: The fourth edition of ‘Pharmac India’, the mega exhibition of Pharma Machinery, Equipment, Bulk drugs, API & Material industry in India, was inaugurated today amidst overwhelming response from participants in presence of dignitaries like Mr. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Pharmac India Committee & IDMA GSB, Ms. Dhara Patel, Secretary Genaral, IDMA, Mr. S.V. Veeramani, Vice President, IDMA; Mr. Rupen Vikamsey, MD, Orbitz Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. The three-day exhibition scheduled from 5 - 7 September 2013 at Hitex Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad is being organized by Orbitz Exhibitions Pvt Ltd in association with one of the premier associations for the pharma industry namely IDMA. The three day expo is looking at boosting the growth of the pharma industry by generating new business opportunities among visitors and exhibitors with a strong networking presence. For three days, the pharma exhibition will host the entire gamut of pharma industry under one roof, with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors and expected involvement of around 5000 trade visitors.

IDMA is a well-known for organizing a host of trade exhibition. The exhibition is also supported by Pharmexcil, BDMA and CiPi.

Text Box: Pharmac India 2013 Exhibitor Profile • Pharmaceutical Bulk Drugs, Veterinary Drugs, Additives, Intermediates

• Pharmaceutical Machinery
• Pharmaceutical Formulation
• Pharmaceutical Printing, Packaging, Lab, Material & Machinery
• Pharmaceutical Refrigeration
• Software for Pharmaceutical industry and management
• Biotechnology
• Analytical Laboratory Supplies (Instruments, Glassware, Lab. Reagents - Chemicals)
• Analytical Services
• R & D Instruments & Equipment
• Water Management, Water Treatment, Supply & Disposal, Waste Management
• Ayurvedic / Herbal Products
• Nutraceutical Product / Dietary Supplements
• Cosmetics Products
• Excipients / Food Additives / Natural Extracts
• Flavors & Fragrances
• Safety Equipments

Commenting on 4th edition of the pharma event, Mr. Rupen Vikamsey, MD, Orbitz Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd, said, "This is just the first day of the exhibition and it has already surpassed our expectation with heavy number of footfalls. The success of the event this year will motivate us to organize it next year at some good location on a wide scale. It is worthwhile to mention that in a place like Hyderabad - the bulk drugs capital of India, ‘Pharmac India’ has played an instrumental role in bringing together manufacturers and buyers on a common platform and thereby contributed substantially to the growth of the industry. Our main aim is to attract more customers and share the latest technologies, innovations from the pharma field ”.

Pharmac India is the only one of its kind SME-centric event in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. It had a conspicuous presence of foreign visitors acknowledging its true potential & international stature. Pharmac is not only a one point source for pharma machinery and products but a fantastic opportunity for contract manufacturing units too. The bulk of the exhibitors and visitors at Pharmac India 2013 were not only from Hyderabad, but representatives were also present from neighboring states.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Daara Patel, Secretary General, Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association, Mr. S.V. Veeramani, Vice President, IDMA and Mr. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Pharmac India Committee & IDMA Gujarat State, said the price revision for core drugs as desired by the Government is acceptable to us, however with the US $ rising the cost of raw materials imported will consequently rise, resulting in the cost of these drugs too going up. The Government has agreed to revisit the pricing aspect after a year. However the Government which expects us to subsidise on the cost of drugs is not reducing the taxes on these drugs, it imposes 20% taxes on medicines.

We have presented a white paper to the Government on what needs to be done to face the onslaught of the Chinese drug industry and are awaiting the response. Chinese drug industry gets active support from their government through various subsidies, therefore they are in a position to supply at a lesser cost to kill our industry. Once they accomplish the task, they will make an upward revision in the cost of supply. We are trying to make our Government aware of the dangers and awake before its late.

India and Hyderabad are the hub of drug manufacturing industry and 33% of the FDA approved plants in the world are located here. Indian drug Industry is known for quality and pricing. Our exports are doing extremely well, with Rs 60000 crores earnings last year and is showing a growth of 25% year on year. With the US $ rising our Industry might relook at manufacturing some of the drugs which were unviable in the past. Main challenge we face for our exports is from Bangladesh, as they are in a position to replicate us in terms of quality and cost. They are actively supported by their government with sops. Our Industry is also getting very attractive incentives from several countries including Marutius, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Uganda etc., to set up plants in their countries and some of our members may actively consider it.

However the domestic sales have not done so well for reasons like lack of encouragement from Government, general economic slowdown etc.

Regarding Regulatory issues, they are not an impediment, we welcome regulations and whatever bottlenecks exist are discussed with the regulator to find solutions.

There is very little support the Government, right encouragement is the need of the hour. There are too many controls on the industry. The Government should provide right atmosphere for the industry and to do well. It has to provide the infrastructural support by lowering the cost of land, power etc., lower rates of interest, extend capital subsidies, capacity subsidy, follow a flexible approach towards pricing, set up common effluent plants, create pharma zones, speedier and flexible licensing policy etc.