Uttar Pradesh Commits Rs. 8,000 Crore Investment in 1,400-Acre Bulk Drug Park

Uttar Pradesh aims to position itself as a significant player in the expanding domestic pharmaceutical industry, projected to reach $130 billion by 2030. The state government is set to invest approximately Rs 8,000 crore in a proposed bulk drug park situated in Lalitpur district, covering an extensive 1,472 acres across five villages in the Bundelkhand region.

Managed by the UP State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), the Lalitpur bulk drug park is a strategic initiative to establish Uttar Pradesh as a prominent hub for pharmaceuticals, generic medicines, and medical devices in South Asia. The project involves the immediate development of 300 acres of land, with the state government having already inked 236 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 11,000 crore with various companies and consortiums for the establishment of manufacturing plants.

Mayur Maheshwari, CEO of UPSIDA, highlighted the significance of the pharma park project in driving industrial growth and economic development in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized that it would play a crucial role in contributing to the pharmaceutical sector, creating economic opportunities, and solidifying the state's position on the industrial landscape.

Under the new UP Pharma Policy 2023, the Lalitpur bulk drug park will focus on bulk drugs, starting/raw materials, and active pharmaceuticals. Adani Gas has been engaged to supply piped natural gas (PNG) to the park.

Uttar Pradesh has entered partnerships with renowned scientific institutions such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to serve as knowledge partners for the development of generic and low-cost medicines. These collaborations aim to foster research and development on innovative drugs and medical devices, catering to the diagnosis and treatment of severe and chronic diseases in India and 200 other countries.

The state is ambitiously targeting an increase in its share in India's pharmaceutical industry from 2% to 10-12%. While India commands a 20% market share globally in generic medicines by volume, it still imports 80% of its domestic medical devices needs.

With the domestic pharmaceutical industry valued at $42 billion in 2021 and estimated to surge to $130 billion by 2030, Uttar Pradesh's strategic initiatives position it as a key player in the sector's future growth and development. India presently ranks among the top three nations globally in terms of medicine production by volume, with pharmaceutical shipments valued at $25 billion.

BS