A New Era for Pharma: Landmark Drug Testing Laboratory in Himachal Pradesh

The BBN belt, hosting Asia's largest pharmaceutical hub, has been grappling with the absence of a dedicated drug testing laboratory.

The Health Master

March 10, 2024

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Lab Testing Laboratory — Picture: Pixabay

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Last Updated on October 15, 2024 by The Health Master

Drug Testing Laboratory

The pharmaceutical landscape in Asia is witnessing a groundbreaking moment as the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial hub, home to 350 pharmaceutical companies, gears up to unveil its first-ever drug testing laboratory in Himachal Pradesh.

In this article, we delve into the significance of this development, tracing its origins and anticipating the positive impact it is poised to have on the pharmaceutical sector.

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A Vision Realized: CM’s Inauguration

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is set to inaugurate the state-of-the-art drug testing laboratory during his visit to the Doon and Arki Assembly segments.

This marks a significant milestone in the healthcare infrastructure of the region, as it signals the first establishment of a lab since the influx of investments by pharmaceutical companies post-2003.

Union Ministry’s Investment: Fueling Progress

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare allocated Rs 30 crore to the state Health Department in 2017 as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan.

This financial injection aimed to fortify the Drug Control Administration (DCA), emphasizing the need for upgraded drug testing labs and a bolstered staff.

The lab’s initiation has been a prolonged process, with the purchase of a building from the state Housing and Urban Development Authority in 2017.

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HCL’s Role: Bridging the Gap

Public-sector enterprise HCL undertook the responsibility of setting up the lab, and its officials have recently inspected the site.

The lab’s primary objective is to test an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 legal samples of drugs annually.

This move is set to streamline the drug testing process, which, until now, involved manufacturers sending samples to labs in Chandigarh and nearby areas, causing delays and logistical challenges.

Strengthening Quality Control

The BBN belt, hosting Asia’s largest pharmaceutical hub, has been grappling with the absence of a dedicated drug testing laboratory.

The area boasts 120 export-oriented manufacturing units, including industry giants like Dr. Reddy’s Lab, Cadila, Cipla, Torrent, and more.

The lab’s establishment is poised to fortify the quality control mechanism of the DCA, addressing concerns about sub-standard drugs.

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Overcoming Challenges

Despite the DCA acquiring a building in 2017, the lab’s setup faced delays and challenges, leaving the pharmaceutical hub without a vital facility for nearly eight years.

The Composite Testing Lab (CTL) at Kandaghat, which the DCA currently relies on, is ill-equipped for specialized analyses, necessitating outsourcing to labs in Chandigarh for comprehensive testing.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.