The Association of Pharmaceutical Producers´ of Nepal (APPON) in association with Graduate Pharmacists´ Association of Nepal (GPAN) and Nepal Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) is organizing the expo with the objective of disseminating information about domestic productions of medicine.[break]
The expo, which is being organized with the theme ´Synergy Toward Excellence´, will provide a platform for stakeholders to interact, observe and expand business.
According to Jeeban Lal Amatya, coordinator of the expo, the three-day event will feature 40 domestic and 60 international drug manufacturers.
Mahesh Gorkhali, president of APPON, said the expo will be a perfect forum to showcase different products and services that includes pharmaceutical processing plants equipment, packing materials and machineries, bulk drugs, environmental control equipment, fine chemical, lab equipment and services of pharmaceutical industries.
Domestic pharmaceutical companies enjoy 45 percent share in Nepal´s medicine market and their share is growing at 18-20 percent annually, according to the APPON.
“As Nepali products are cheap and can compete with international products, we should promote domestic industries by raising awareness about Nepali drugs among the people,” Radha Raman Prasad, chief drug administrator of Department of Drug Administration (DDA), said.
He also informed that Nepali drug producers are in the process of manufacturing powdered injection, which are till date imported from other countries, at the local level.
There organizers are expecting about 25,000 visitors during the expo.
“More than Rs 1b invested in pharma industry”
What is the present scenario of Nepali pharma industries?
Among 50 pharmaceutical companies registered with the government, 45 are currently in operation and six new companies starting their operation very soon. More than Rs 1 billion has been invested in this industry that has been providing employment to more than 12,000 people.
Can Nepal be self sufficient on drugs?
We have the capacity to be self sufficient, but it will take some time. We have not been able to manufacture medicines for HIV and cancer yet. Currently, Nepali drug producers enjoy 45 percent share in Nepal´s medicine market.
Do you think there is a need for foreign investment in this sector?
Yes, there is. Foreign investments make significant contribution to the national economy. There already are some companies in the country that have foreign investment.
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