JB Chem unit gets nod from UK regulator

The Panoli plant had also got US FDA clearance in Jan 2004

The Bharuch-based J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals has received the approval of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its facility at Panoli to manufacture tablet dosage forms for the UK market.

MHRA had inspected the facility in March this year. The Panoli plant had received a similar approval from the US Food and Drug Authority in January 2004.

The plant at present caters to the needs of the domestic as well as exports market. The facility will soon begin manufacturing tablets which will be exported to regulated markets.

The unit is equipped to manufacture various tablet dosage forms. The MHRA approval may enable the company to explore the UK market. JBCPL has been exploring various regulated markets such as Europe, UK and Latin American countries in addition to the US.

J B Chemicals, which had identified overseas business as its growth driver, has chalked out plans to strengthen its global presence.

The company had recently appointed Nirav Mody as its vice-president, strategic marketing (international). Mody's appointment was made at the company's annual general meeting held on July 13.

Exports to over 50 countries contribute 52 per cent to JBCPL's revenues. Some JBCPL brands like Doktor Mom lozenges, Rhinza, Metrogyl IV and Metrogyl Denta Gel enjoy a strong position in other countries. JBCPL's 100 per cent export oriented unit for Doktor Mom Lozenges is located at Daman.

JBCPL executive director Kamlesh Udani said with the USFDA and MHRA approvals, the company will be able to source its tablets for the regulated markets from the Panoli facility. The Panoli unit has capacity of 67 crore tablets per month.

"At present the Panoli facility is not being used to manufacture medicines for exports to regulated markets, but we intend to do so by the coming year," said Udani.