JK Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Jammu submitted memorandum to Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat. In the memorandum, President Anil Gupta highlighted various issues being faced by the pharma industry. He highlighted that Camp Office of Drug Control Department should be opened in the winter capital so that day to day issues pertaining to pharma industry are resolved immediately rather than sending their representative to Srinagar quite frequently for the resolution of these issues. He further requested the Minister to use his office for the opening of Pharmacy College in Jammu. He emphasised that pharma industry in J&K has grown substantially and opening of pharmacy college in Jammu will open employment opportunities to the local youth of State. Presently there is shortage of technically qualified pharmacy graduates and post graduates in the State as such are being outsourced from the neighbouring States. Minister has assured the members that Camp Office of Drug Control Department will be opened immediately in the next couple of days. He further agreed to the proposal of opening of pharmacy college in Jammu and assured that he will take up this issue with the concerned authorities. He finally advised the industry not to compromise with the quality of drugs and should match their standards with the international standards. He assured the industry that for upgradation of facility created by the small scale sector, he will take up this issue with the Union Health Ministry to provide soft loans to such small scale sector.
