Export, Import of Pharma Products via Mormugao.

PANAJI: Mormugao port will shortly be notified as a designated port for import and export of pharmaceutical products manufactured in Goa. Also, the Drugs Controller General of India  (DCGI) will set up its zonalcum-assistant drug controller's office in Goa for facilitating the import and export of products manufactured by Goan pharmaceutical units. These two steps are expected to bring about a big boost to the pharma sector in the state.

The above two proposals were announced by DCGI Dr Surinder Singh in Goa on Sunday. Singh was chief guest at an interactive meeting between the DCGI and Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association (GPMA).

Presently, Goan drug manufacturers first transport their products to Mumbai and later export them from Navsheva port in Mumbai.

GPMA president Arun Naik said the pharmaceutical manufacturers incur an additional cost of Rs 30,000 on transporting one container of Goan drugs to Mumbai. Once MPT is notified as a port for pharmaceutical products, it will eliminate this expense and simplify procedures for Goan manufacturers, he said.

Naik said Goa boasts of 70-odd pharmaceutical units which are of the finest quality and comparable to the best in the world. Of these, about 50 units export pharmaceutical products worth Rs 3,000 crore annually to various countries. Once Mormugao port is notified for import and export of pharmaceuticals, the manufacture and exports of Goan drugs will increase significantly, Naik said.

Making a presentation, Singh said that with an annual turnover of Rs 4,000 crore, the Goan pharmaceutical industry is significantly large and it is therefore important for the DCGI to set up an office in the state.

While the DCGI already has 6 zonal offices in India, it will set up 6 more zonal offices in various states including Goa. The DCGI presently has 11 port offices and the proposed new office at Mormugao port will be the 12th port office, Singh said.

Singh also impressed upon the Goan pharma industry to maintain high standards of quality, ethics and credibility.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com