Govt to build special zones for pharma at int'l terminals: Azad

MUMBAI: The government is planning to create special zones for pharma products at international cargo terminals, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Mumbai on Monday.

"We are planning to set up zones for pharma products at international cargo terminals. These new zones will ensure appropriate storage condition, testing facility and custom clearances," Azad told reporters at the opening ceremony of the zonal FDA Bhavan here.

The minister also said, "This initiative will further boost exports from our country. We are also in the process of expanding the zonal and sub zonal network throughout the country. In next financial year, the number of zones would go up from present 8 to 15 across the country. This will help the industry in obtaining regulatory approvals faster," Azad said.

At present, annual production of pharmaceutical products in the country is worth Rs 90,000 crore and out of which exports account for about Rs 39,000 crore, he said.

To bring about transparency and good governance, office of the Drug controller General of India and the entire network of zonal and sub zonal offices will introduce electronic governance, which will not only reduce time for transaction, but also take care of confidentiality, he said.