‘Allied industry should target global market’

Devinder Pal, president, Catalyst Pharma Consulting and vice-president, CPA, was recently elected as the new president of Pharmaceutical & Allied Manufacturers’ & Distributors’ Association Ltd (PAMDAL). Pal, the doyen of the Indian pharma industry and the profession of pharmacy, has made notable contribution to the growth of several pharma, bulk drug and confectionery manufacturing companies during his career spanning four decades. As the national president of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, he eminently served the collective professional interests of fellow pharmacists and ensure a healthy environment for their profitable growth, while making a continuing contribution to the healthcare areas of the nation. He has served on many national and international professional, industry associations, statutory bodies and boards. Pal is now a consultant to leading names of Indian and MNCs operating from India, as also companies based in the UK, Europe, USA. Pal in an interview with Balakrishnan Nair, speaks on his plans to make allied industry gear up for the post 2005 challenges. Excerpts:

What are your immediate plans as the new president of Pamdal?

Pamdal is one of the oldest organisation working towards the interests of pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Later three more organisations were formed namely IPA, IDMA and OPPI. While all the three organisations had a specific focus and worked for certain sections of industry, Pamdal represented the whole manufacturing section and thus had a major role to play in the industry. It was formed with a specific focus to support the allied industry. Now, my priorities will be to continue with the good work initiated by the past presidents of Pamdal. This includes launching of pharmacoeconomics course, setting up South Asian Pharmaceutical Excipient Council (SAPEC) in line with IPEC. Third, we are trying to improve the quality standards of products of small manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in the ancillary segment so that they get a level playing field along with the big ones. This can be done only by creating awareness about the latest technology, changes in international and Indian regulations, export potential etc. Thus there is a need for upgradation of facilities of small time players in the allied industry, so as to enable them to compete with others.

How do you plan to achieve this task?

This task we have undertaken is certainly a mammoth one and cannot be achieved by a single person. Fortunately, we have two able vice-presidents, M B Kurdekar, international procurement director of GSK Pharma and Subodh Priolkar, director of Valois India, who are dedicated for the development of ancillary industry. Besides, Pamdal has executive members and other office bearers who are committed for the progress of the association. Thus the dedication, commitment and determination of the association members will help to achieve our ultimate goal.

What are challenges faced by allied industry post 2005?

In the international market, quality of products is one of the major challenges faced by the Indian allied industry. This will continue to be so unless the problem is addressed in an earnest manner. The allied industry has to live up to the expectations of the pharma industry in terms of supplying quality products to them. The allied industry should be able to provide high quality products at reasonable costs and within the stipulated time.

Further, the allied industry has to target the world market and not confine themselves to the domestic market. For this it has to comply with cGMP guidelines and other international norms which will help them to enhance its growth potential. India is a huge market for the players in the allied industry. This is a major advantage and the industry should exploit it to the full.

What role can Pamdal play in such a situation?

Pamdal has always been working towards the interests of the members of our association. At present, there is a need to create awareness about the current technological advances in the manufacturing segment. In the process, we are conducting seminars and workshops on latest technologies and global regulation. Second, there is a need for greater interaction between the pharma and allied industry and address the issues on a common platform. Pamdal should work towards developing a symbiotic relationship between the allied and the pharma industry.

What has been progress on formation of SAPEC?

South Asian Pharmaceutical Excipient Council (SAPEC), though initiated some years ago, has to be formally launched. This year, we are working on certain plans to make it function for the benefit of the industry and address issues pertaining to the excipient segment. We have identified the key players in the industry who would play a major role in the activities of the council.