Only 100 drug firms follow the best packaging practices

India has one of the best packaging standards for pharma products but unfortunately only about 100 companies follow these specifications out of 6,700 registered pharmaceutical companies here.

In a session on pharmaceutical packaging organised by Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (GPMA), B K Karna, deputy director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Hyderabad, said, "India is the most advanced country in packaging technology. But unfortunately among the 6,700 registered pharmaceutical companies in the country, hardly 100 follow these advanced technology."

"The World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime coming into effect soon is all about following the specifications of various countries where we are sending our goods. Foreign countries such as Germany, the US and European Union are very strict with the standards to be followed,'' he added.

India has asked for packaging specifications pertaining to drugs, designed to suit the need of every country especially the weather conditions at the Geneva meeting of the WTO.

While discussions are going on before the various standards are implemented and the rules for exports are charted out, Karna feels, "India's own laws are stringent enough to be WTO compatible, however, their implementation is still slack. There may be minute changes in food and drug packaging Acts, but it will be really a difficult task to make the companies follow them.''

"With market demand for packaging changing fast, we need more flexible packaging machines, different materials, changing drug patterns and integrated labelling process will see the packaging industry grow in the coming years in areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotech products, mineral water etc," he added.