Written by : Jayati Dubey
January 29, 2025
In alignment with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision, the state has announced the formation of the Odisha Pharmaceutical Development Cell (OPDC).
The Odisha government is taking decisive steps to establish the state as a pharmaceutical powerhouse in eastern India.
As part of its vision, an exclusive Pharma Policy 2025 is being prepared.
To promote this initiative, the government will host a Pharma Industry CEOs’ Conclave in Bhubaneswar within the next three months, bringing together leading executives from pharmaceutical companies across India and abroad.
In alignment with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision, the state has announced the formation of the Odisha Pharmaceutical Development Cell (OPDC).
The department of drugs control will serve as the core of this nodal body. Mamina Patnaik, the state’s drug controller, has been appointed as the nodal officer for the Cell.
She shared that the OPDC will commence operations after the Make-in-Odisha Conclave 2025 (Utkarsh Odisha), scheduled for January 28-29, 2025.
Chandan Giri, a drug control officer and coordinator of the OPDC revealed that a list of company CEOs has been prepared, and discussions with leading pharmaceutical associations and academic communities are being planned.
This collaboration aims to encourage the establishment of a Pharma Park in a special economic zone (SEZ) in Odisha.
Odisha’s pharmaceutical sector is currently underdeveloped, with only a few micro and small units operating in the state.
The Pharma Policy 2025 will address this challenge by providing facilities and incentives for industries to establish their presence in Odisha.
The government envisions making the state one of the leading pharmaceutical hubs in eastern India within three years.
The proposed Pharma Park, likely to be located in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Balasore, will attract pharmaceutical companies from states like West Bengal, Telangana, and Bihar.
These companies have already expressed interest in setting up units in Odisha, according to Giri.
Odisha has also garnered support from the central government.
The recently opened Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDTL) in the state and the upcoming Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) sub-zonal office in Bhubaneswar marks significant milestones in strengthening the pharmaceutical infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to create significant job opportunities for pharmacy graduates in Odisha.
According to Dr. Rejat Kumar Kar, president of the Odisha Pharmacy Intellectual Forum (OPIF), the state is home to over 50 institutions offering pharmacy education.
He emphasized that the development of a pharma hub will positively impact employment and entrepreneurship among pharmacy graduates.
Dr Kar further highlighted that the OPIF had submitted a series of demands to the chief minister in June last year, advocating for increased focus on pharmaceutical development and job creation for pharmacy students.
The upcoming Pharma CEOs’ Conclave will serve as a platform for dialogue between the government, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions.
The OPDC plans to engage with industry leaders, pharmaceutical associations, and academic experts to gather suggestions and insights to shape Odisha’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.
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