Gujarat's Pharma Industry commemorates 100 glorious years

Ahmedabad, Jan 5 (UNI) Gujarat's pharma industry that led the way with indigenous production of medicines thereby achieving self-sufficiency in drugs and pharmaceuticals in independent India, completed its centenary last year.

The pharmaceutical companies of Gujarat, allied industries, industry associations and academia converged today to commemorate this special milestone.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi presided over the centenary celebrations this evening.

The celebrations encapsulated the past, present and future of the industry, its growth and its achievements, while showcasing the pioneering initiatives of the state's pharma industry over the years which have helped it to emerge as a national leader in the field of drugs and pharmaceuticals.

The state was the first to manufacture APIs and Finished dosage form in India, manufacture pharmaceutical machinery, lead the way with clinical research organisations and become the first to undertake pre-clinical safety and toxicology studies in India.

The centenary celebrations also included a presentation on the 'Pharma Vision 2020', an official release of the centenary publication. A document on 'Vision 2020' for the pharma industry, prepared by leading consulting house, was also released on the ocassion.

A CEO Panel Discussion on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, set the tone for a futuristic look as Gujarat's pharma industry positions itself as a global pharma hub.

Stalwarts who contributed to the evolution and growth of the pharmaceutical industry in the state were also felicitated on the occasion.

Gujarat contributes 40 per cent of India's pharmaceutical production and 30 per cent of its drug exports. The industry has more than 3,000 registered manufacturers, a strong backbone of small and medium scale enterprises, having capital investments in excess of 5 billion US dollars.

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