MSMEs are considered the backbone of any country, it supports the nation in its economic growth. India also has a great pride in its industrial growth, which is aided by MSMEs. Unfortunately, MSMEs, particularly in the pharma category, has not been treated well. Otherwise this segment has the potential to do wonders.

Listing out several factors impeding MSME development BR Sikri, who is Co-Chairman – FOPE and associated with several other industrial associations said these impediments needed to be ironed out if governments’ Make in India programme has to be successful. The MSME issues are :-

Earlier licencing was simple and with the introduction of schedule M it became an expensive exercise which forced many units to shut down
Later Schedule ‘L’ was introduced which again became a financial burden on small and medium scale units, resulting in inviolability
Now the government is talking of upgradation to WHO compliance, which will practically not be possible to afford without a huge investment
We are hearing of upgrading units to Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation (PICs) compliance and bring them to the international level. In addition to this, the government proposes to introduce Good Distribution Practice, Goods Engineering Practice, Good AHU Practice etc. All these are going to add to the financial burden on the small scale sector.
As a result of compulsory bar coding on pharma packaging, the pharma industry is going to face another financial burden, resulting in non-profit making units. Across the globe, there are very few countries practicing it.
Fixed dosage combinations is another area where the industry is seeing a challenge. Various state governments have granted permission to small scale units and those combinations are in the market for more than a decade, without registering any side effects. Such combinations can be regularised and guidelines for future can be given. Such matters are pending in the court, these delays cause wastage of money and time for the industry as well as the government.

Our Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas’ will be completed only when the small scale industry is also taken into consideration. The players in this sector need to be motivated to contribute to this journey. Let all of us think about the betterment of our nation. The PM’s ‘Make in India’ initiative will not be successful unless special focus is given on the MSME sector.

Source: The Financial Express