The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers announced a milestone with the completion of 32 projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

According to a press release by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, these projects, with a cumulative installed capacity of 56,679 metric tons (MT) per annum, are expected to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical supply chain and reduce dependency on imports.

The PLI Scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 6,940 crores, was approved by the Cabinet with the objective of boosting domestic bulk drug production, enhancing supply chain resilience, and minimizing reliance on imported raw materials. The scheme’s production period spans from the fiscal year 2022-23 to 2028-29.

According to the Ministry, the scheme received an overwhelming response, with 249 applications submitted for consideration. Out of these, 48 projects have been selected for the manufacturing of identified bulk drugs, with 13 projects being implemented by 10 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The completion of 32 projects marks a critical step forward, with the remaining 16 projects still under development, read the press release.

These ongoing projects are currently receiving support to facilitate necessary regulatory approvals, such as environmental clearances and drug manufacturing licenses. The Ministry emphasized that state governments are playing a crucial role in expediting these approvals to ensure timely project completion.