Visakhapatnam: In a boost to the fledgling pharma sector in the region, Vizag port and the airport are expected to be notified for pharma exports and imports by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Until now, pharma products manufactured here were going to other countries by air via Hyderabad. The additional director general office of the drug administration that inspects the pharma products for export is also ready to be opened in Vizag.
Pharma companies here at times are finding it difficult to route their products through other cities. Direct exports from Vizag would also cut their operational costs. Pharma products manufactured at the 36 units in Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) are going to the markets in North America, Europe, Japan, South East Asia and China.
“Efforts are on with the union commerce ministry and DCGI to get the Vizag port and airport notified for pharma exports and imports. This will definitely help the pharma sector here. I am personally pursuing and following it up with various government agencies. The process is on and by the middle of next year, the port and airport should be notified. The office of the additional director general of drug control administration that inspects the products which will facilitate exports, has also been a long felt need. In principle, approval has also been accorded for setting up the office,” Vizag MP, Kambham-pati Haribabu said.
While domestic cargo terminal at the Vizag airport has been opened recently, the international operations will start shortly since the tenders has also been floated by the government agency and the technical feasibility is underway.
