Over 20 local Parma manufacturing companies have positively responded and three already signed up to commence manufacturing medical and medical equipment at the new Pharma Zone in Oyamaduwa Anuradhapura. The total investment committed by them is over Rs. 20 billion, said State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana.
In order to keep up with the Government’s vision to become a Pharma self-sufficient nation in the long term, from August 2020 we commenced manufacturing some of the imported pharmaceuticals and we were able to bring down the import cost by around Rs. 30 billion.”
With this Pharma Zone and the Anuradhapura Pharma raw material manufacturing zone we hope to be 99% self-sufficient in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and its related material. He said the pharma industry is dominated by countries like China, India, USA, Indonesia and Bangladesh which have large populations as the manufacturers could gain their ROI quickly. “In Sri Lanka while already agreeing to a forward buying agreement with these local manufactures we will also help them to promote exports.”
The Minister said that the main reason to select Anuradhapura was the huge land mass that was available, huge HR talent available and also availability of the former ‘Dayata Kirula’ exhibition premises which was well prepared for a project of this nature with most of the infrastructure completed.
“We will upgrade this pharma zone to a livable city adding apartments, restaurants, supermarkets and other leisure activities. The project will fulfill 40% of the total medical drugs and equipment requirements of Sri Lanka and will create over 8,000 direct and indirect jobs to be created from this.”
The Minister also disclosed that the project is launched without burdening the Government or the Treasury and great care is focused towards environment protection and harmful chemicals released to the vicinity.
A representative from Maliban Bio Ventures which will manufacture a special high value chemical component (MAB) to treat cancer patients will invest Rs. 3 billion for the venture which will be ready in 2 years. “We may also look for a foreign player for this project.”
Nutlife Biotech PVT LTD will manufacture ‘Penem’ injections and will invest around Rs. 400 million. The third company to sign the agreement, Luxus Medi Line Pvt Limited will be engaged in syringe manufacturing and will invest around RS. 300 million and the production would be ready in 18 months. An official from the Sri Lankan company of Spectrum Pharmatech PVT ltd of India which would be coordinating these projects and adding infrastructure said that they were very happy with the response they received from the local investors of a project of this nature which will raise Sri Lanka’s profile.