New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate an antibiotic Penicillin-G plant in Andhra Pradesh, 30 years after the country’s last plant closed. Industry executives have confirmed that preparations are underway for Aurobindo Pharma to begin production at their Kakinada plant in the state.
Aurobindo Pharma has started producing small batches and will soon ramp up full-scale production of 300 metric tonnes by the end of the year, sources have revealed.
Penicillin-G (Pen-G) is a crucial antibiotic used in various medications. India stopped producing Pen-G about three decades ago and has relied on China for these supplies.
The Pen-G facility in Kakinada has a production capacity of 15,000 tonnes per annum and 1.8 lakh tonnes of glucose, while the 6-Amino Penicillanic Acid plant has a capacity of 3,600 tonnes annually. The company plans to use these products for captive use, domestic supply, and exports, with a vials/ampoules plant set for export markets.
Industry experts note that about 30,000 metric tonnes of penicillin is imported from China. The government initiated the PLI scheme in 2021 to boost domestic manufacturing of APIs and KSMs, encouraging exports and reducing dependency on China.
Mumbai-based Kinvan Pvt Ltd has also started producing clavulanic acid, a key active pharmaceutical ingredient used in Augmentin antibiotic.
Published on Sep 22, 2024 at 01:43 PM IST
Reference : https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/policy-regulations/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-penicillin-g-plant-in-andhra-pradesh-reviving-indias-antibiotic-production/113567946
