The estimates committee of the State Assembly has called for concerted efforts to improve the capacity utilisation of Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (KSDP) Ltd., a public sector medicine manufacturing unit.
The committee, which visited the unit on Wednesday, felt that an expert panel consisting of representatives from Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (KMSCL), the Industries Department, and the Drugs Control Department be constituted to coordinate activities with a view to helping the organisation to enhance its output.
The committee has mooted an amendment to the rules on store purchase that could be helpful to the unit in getting adequate orders from the government. The panel, headed by S. Sarma, visited the new plant of the company. The other members were K.C. Joseph, B.D. Devassia, Kovoor Kunjumon, T.V. Rajesh, and G.S. Jayalal.
Delay in e-tender
KSDP chairman C.B. Chandrababu said the institution had a laboratory conforming to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) standards. The company has prepared a plan for making medicines used in organ transplantation surgeries at affordable rates. An amount of ₹28.15 crore has been set apart in the State Budget for the development works of the KSDP. The KMSCL had been adopting a helpful attitude towards the organisation, but the delay in e-tender procedures was affecting the company, he said.
The KMSCL had been sourcing 30% of the medicine requirement from the KSDP. The quota would go up to 40% this year, KMSCL officials said.
The KSDP was utilising only 30% of its capacity now. Efforts were under way to expand the market to other States and to export the products to foreign countries.
