Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, virtually inaugurated 27 greenfield bulk drug park projects and 13 greenfield manufacturing plants for medical devices. 

In his address, Dr. Mandaviya emphasised the importance of domestic production of medicines and medical devices stating, “Medicines are an essential requirement for any society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the dangers of the supply chain getting affected, the risks of being highly dependent on imports of critical resources like bulk drugs and medical devices, and its potential effects on India’s pharma and MedTech sector led to a lot of brainstorming within the Union Government. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is a result of these wide-ranging discussions”

Under the PLI scheme, India has witnessed a remarkable reduction in dependence on imported medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and medical devices, transforming into a major exporter in these sectors. Dr. Mandaviya outlined the success of PLI-I and PLI-II schemes, focusing on manufacturing critical bulk drugs locally to enhance cost competitiveness and reduce reliance on imports.

Highlighting specific examples, Dr. Mandaviya mentioned the government's efforts to revive the production of Penicillin G in India after a three-decade hiatus, symbolizing a renaissance in domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Dept. for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, underscored the government's strategy of turning challenges into opportunities amidst the pandemic. He emphasized the vision behind initiatives like the PLI scheme, aimed at fostering self-reliance, innovation, and infrastructure development.

Dr. Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Dept. of Pharmaceuticals, provided insights into the PLI scheme, highlighting its role in stimulating growth in the pharmaceutical industry. He noted the scheme's impact on boosting local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products and APIs.

The inauguration showcased a diverse range of bulk drug plants and medical device manufacturing units across various locations in India. Notable among these were facilities for producing crucial drugs like Levofloxacin, Carbamazepine, and Diclofenac Sodium, as well as medical devices including Linear Accelerators, MRI Coils, and Oxygen Concentrators.

The event highlighted India's ambition to reduce import dependence and enhance supply chain resilience in critical sectors. The PLI scheme for bulk drugs aims to incentivize domestic production, ensuring steady availability of essential medications and positioning India as a prominent supplier of raw materials.

Similarly, the PLI scheme for medical devices aims to address manufacturing challenges and attract investment in this burgeoning sector. With a focus on innovation and technology transfer, the scheme aims to bolster India's position as a key player in the global medical device market.