PM Modi virtually inaugurates India’s first API fermentation unit in Himachal’s Nalagarh

This unit is a significant milestone in reducing India’s dependence on countries like China and Korea for APIs, as it will meet around 60 per cent of the domestic demand for potassium clavulanate API, used in producing several antibiotics

Tribune News Service

Solan, Updated At : 07:21 PM Oct 29, 2024 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated India’s first active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) fermentation unit, Kinvan Private Limited, located in the Plassara industrial area of Nalagarh tehsil. This unit is a significant milestone in reducing India’s dependence on countries like China and Korea for APIs, as it will meet around 60 per cent of the domestic demand for potassium clavulanate API, used in producing several antibiotics.

The unit will produce 400 tonnes of potassium clavulanate API annually, with a domestic demand of 700 tonnes per annum. This initiative is part of the centrally funded Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, aiming to promote domestic manufacturing of critical key starting materials (KSMs)/drug intermediates and APIs in the country. The plant, spread over 70 acres, will have eight fermenters of 250 kilo litres each.

Himachal Pradesh Industry, Parliamentary Affairs and Labour and Employment Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan graced the occasion as the chief guest. He urged the PM to increase the subsidy of the Ayushman scheme from the existing Rs 25 crore, considering the state’s annual expenditure of Rs 75 crore to Rs 100 crore on the scheme.

He said, “The unit will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the economic sector. It will provide employment to about 1,000 youths and has been setup after incurring Rs 860 crore.”

“The industries established in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area are making a significant contribution in the production of medicines in the country,” he added.

Chauhan said that the PM has linked people above 70 years of age with the Ayushman scheme, benefiting senior citizens in the state. This move will have a significant impact, considering the state government has received Rs 45 crore from the central government under the scheme, while spending Rs 100 crore on patients’ treatment.

On this occasion, state BJP president Dr Rajiv Bindal also expressed his views.

MP from Shimla Suresh Kashyap, Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan, Nalagarh MLA Hardeep Singh Bawa, former MLA KL Thakur and chairman of Kinvan Private Limited SS Khilani, along with other senior officials from various departments were present on the occasion.