Pharma entrepreneurs and experts today asked the government and
the regulatory agencies to put a stop to free flow of substandard drugs into
the country.
Urging the government for stricter monitoring, they also called
for a regulatory framework to supervise the rampant imports of inferior
medicine that pose great risk to lives of the people.
Addressing the 23rd anniversary of Deurali-Janta
Pharmaceuticals, former director general of Department of Drug Administration (DDA)
that looks after the pharmaceutical industry Bhupendra Thapa asked the
government to check the free flow of substandard medicines.
With an effective mechanism, the government should keep vigil on
imports of drugs, he said, adding that the government should bring foreign
drugs imports under the regulatory framework by imposing a small amount of VAT
on them. "The drugs do not attract customs duty and VAT, tht has encouraged
a massive inflow of inferior quality drugs into the country."
The 47 pharmaceutical companies operating in the country claim to
hold 45 per cent of the domestic pharmaceutical market worth Rs 18 billion
annually. They also claim to be manufacturing quality products that are cheaper
than imports.
"The government should scan the foreign companies exporting
medicines to Nepal," Deurali-Janta chief executive officer Hari Bhakta
Sharma advised, adding that the government should also conduct a relative test.
"The government has to support the private sector in developing innovative
products to promote exports, otherwise, the country could not able to generate employment
for 280,000 people, who come into market every year."
Deurali-Janta – that was established with an investment of over Rs
900 million 23 years ago – manufactures 210 types of general medicines including
drugs for heart problems, nerves, diabetes and skin diseases.
However, the company has been running at only 55 per cent of its
capacity that has curtailed its plan to manufacture more innovative products.
Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala, on the occasion, said
that the proposed Industrial Enterprise Act would address many issues
related to regulation of businesses including pharmaceuticles industry. "The
proposed Act will help resolve the issues and concerns of the private sector
and secure their investment."
Stressing the need of prioritising production for making the
country self-reliant, he said, accepting that there are problems in the
industrial sector. "The Technology Development Fund, which was brought to
encourage the industrialists, would be used in consultation with the private
sector."
The
government is planning to reopen Nepal Drugs, Koirala informed.
The Nepal
Drugs has been closed since it was found to have failed to meet Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards set by the United Nation’s World Health
Organisation (WHO).
But the government has
proposed to resume operations of Nepal Drugs, he said, adding that the proposal
is in the cabinet. "The modality for operating the ailing company has,
however, not been fixed yet."
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