Telangana’s pharmaceutical landscape is poised to receive a substantial boost, with local bulk drug manufacturers preparing to invest around Rs 20,000 crore in the region once Pharma City becomes operational. R.K. Agrawal, the president of the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA), shared this optimistic projection.
Agrawal highlighted that this significant investment of Rs 20,000 crore would originate solely from local active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) players. Presently, Hyderabad boasts ten bulk drug clusters and stand-alone units in various districts. However, due to restrictions on new unit establishments, the opening of Pharma City is expected to encourage the expansion of existing facilities and the emergence of fresh units.
Known as the hub for bulk drugs, Hyderabad specializes in producing APIs, which serve as the primary constituents of medicinal formulations. Agrawal emphasized that Telangana currently hosts the highest number of US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved manufacturing facilities in any state, amounting to 214 facilities. This count is projected to soar substantially once Pharma City, the largest pharma manufacturing cluster under development, commences its operations.
While India imports some essential starting materials and raw ingredients for APIs from China, it excels as a net exporter of bulk drugs. Agrawal highlighted India’s ability to supply high-quality medicines at affordable prices, effectively transforming the affordability landscape. The industry has successfully provided antiretroviral drugs at a mere one-tenth of their original prices, underscoring its remarkable contributions.
Estimating the bulk drugs industry’s worth at around $10-15 billion, Agrawal noted that it is growing steadily at a rate of 8-10 percent. Moreover, the sector generates direct employment for approximately four lakh individuals, in addition to substantial indirect employment opportunities.
As Telangana gears up to witness the transformative impact of Pharma City, local bulk drug players are gearing up to capitalize on this opportunity, injecting a massive investment into the region’s pharmaceutical industry.
