The Indian Pharmaceutical Association’s Kerala branch (Kerala IPA) is organising a workshop on Mandatory GMP Compliance in the pharmaceutical industry for the pharmaceutical manufacturers of Kerala in Kochi tomorrow, October 31.
The event is a collaboration between the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), and the Kerala IPA. The conference is designed to mobilize manufacturers from across the state to implement mandatory good manufacturing practices (GMP) and capitalize on the financial support offered by the Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS).
At 9. 30 in the morning, Dr. P. Jayasekhar, president of the IPA Kerala State Branch, will deliver the welcome address.
The conference, aptly titled ‘Enhancing Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance through Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)’, will be held at the Banquet Hall of Hotel North Seven. The event will feature regulatory powerhouses, including a virtual inaugural address from Dr K M Srinivasan, Deputy Drugs Controller (India) from the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in Chennai. The participation of industry experts is diverse, with panellists including Dr Venkidesh Ramadoss from Chennai and Vinupal K K from Pondicherry, emphasizing the cross-state commitment to compliance. The session will be chaired by M P George, retired drugs controller of Kerala.
A dedicated session is slated to address the practicalities of implementation, with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) providing a detailed presentation on how manufacturers can access the RPTUAS subsidies. Following this, the main session, ‘Foundations and Strategies for Effective GMP Implementation’, will see regional industry leaders sharing practical, real-world solutions. Discussions will focus on technical challenges, such as installing advanced HVAC systems, setting up state-of-the-art clean rooms, and establishing sophisticated testing laboratories, all required for GMP adherence.
According to sources from the association, the impetus behind this regional focus is the government’s strategic mandate to ensure all existing manufacturing units align with global quality standards. The RPTUAS acts as a financial catalyst, specifically targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to facilitate their transition from older regulatory norms to the rigorous Revised Schedule-M and World Health Organization (WHO)-Good Manufacturing Practices. For the country’s robust pharmaceutical export base, this unified upgrade is essential for maintaining India’s competitive edge as the Pharmacy of the World. A key feature of the revamped RPTUAS is its comprehensive and flexible financial support.
GMP represents the bedrock of quality assurance, demanding that all medicinal products are consistently produced and controlled according to stringent quality standards. This involves rigorous adherence across the entire production lifecycle, including meticulous raw material sourcing, validated manufacturing processes, stringent environmental controls, and comprehensive documentation, all of which are critical for patient safety.
In conclusion, the Ernakulam conference will mark a decisive moment for the Kerala pharmaceutical industry. Hosted by the IPA Kerala branch, this forum will provide local manufacturers with the essential regulatory clarity on GMP standards and the financial viability offered by the RPTUAS. By actively embracing this quality initiative, the local industry is poised to upgrade its facilities, ensuring the integrity and quality of its pharmaceutical output, and securing a robust future in both domestic and international healthcare markets, said Dr Jayasekhar. |