Mumbai, December 4, 2013: The world is looking at India for front-end manufacturing solutions, contract research and machinery and technologies, thanks to the rapid growth achieved by Indian pharma industry in these areas. With the technological development and availability of ample trained manpower, India has emerged as one of the major source of manufacturing, research and technology. If CPHI/P-MEC India 2013 is any indication of the shape of things to come, India's pharmaceutical industry is about to explode on world's horizon as a key destination across its entire value chain. The four co-located events - CPhI, P-MEC, ICSE, BioPh India, held from the 3rd-5th December, 2013, at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The 2013 edition of these events have witnessed participation by over 1000 plus exhibitors from 95 countries, and is likely to be attended by nearly 30,000 attendees from 109 countries.

Following the blockbuster response the event received yesterday in terms of sheer attendees, most of the high level delegations to the exhibition are even more enthused to explore technological tie-ups and joint ventures with the participants. The second day of the CPhI & P-MEC India 2013 witnessed very interesting discussions on the Investment Opportunities for Pharmaceutical Industries in Southern parts of India especially Andhra Pradesh followed by sessions on Pharma Education, Global Challenges in Pharmaceutical Track and Trace Common Approach and Pharma Machinery in India.

During his visit to the exhibition today, "Mr Amrasad, Head of Egyptian Pharmaceutical Vigilance & Egyptian Ministry of Health said that, "Pharma industry has proceeded and progressed to encourage this industry in India to invest in Egypt. This kind of mutual cooperation and investment is very beneficial to both the sides but not just interested in imports of final product but to manufacture the product in Egypt. The focal point to export to the whole Mina region will be a win-win situation for both sides and we will do our best to help this push".

India is on a major growth plan and the authorities are offering required facilities for the overall growth in the pharma industry. Talking about the Andhra Pradesh, which boasts of 25 per cent of the country's pharma production, is planning major expansion. "We are proposing two more SEZs for the pharma industry in the state to provide major boost to the exports of bulk drugs," said Mr G Dharmadata, Joint director of Drugs Control Authority of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Shaunak Dave, Asian Market Director, Optel Vision gave a presentation on 'Pharmaceutical Track and Trace: Global Challenges, Common Approach'. Mr Dave highlighted that "the pharmaceutical industry is facing global problem in implementing various country specific regulations for Serialisation/Track & Trace and explained the various Serialization Packaging Line Configuration, the business operation changes Involved in the process and the practical solutions for the different challenges". Track and trace is one method of serialization to help managers protect against counterfeiting and expiration throughout the supply chain. Its advantage is that it enables the serial number to be recorded at various points throughout the supply chain on a central server or on the product itself; facilitating the discovery of where counterfeit products have entered the supply chain. It also allows full traceability of products on a global basis.

One of the exhibitors, Vijay Ambati, President & CEO of Clearsynth Labs Limited commented during the event, that CPhI India helps us put a face to the names we deal with in the industry. With seminars and exhibitions, we get an instant opportunity to connect with our contemporaries and plan further as regions. In the future, we look forward to further opportunities where an amalgam of suppliers, packaging and formulation companies come together along with regulatory authorities and get a chance to have various levels of open house discussions, to understand the need gaps of the industry and thereby effectively resolve them effectively."

Joji George, Managing Director, UBM India, the organisers, highlighted the unprecedented interest on India by global pharma industry. He stated that, "It is no longer that India is considered as a mere destination of low-cost manufacturing and low-end bulk drugs. The profiles of international participants reflect that everyone from every known market across the globe is interested in India. Everyone is so keen to leverage CPHI/P-MEC India this year to grab the opportunity. It is the bus that no one wants to miss".

Spread over 55,000 sq.m and 8 halls of the BCEC, CPHI/P-MEC India 2013 truly promises to present the strength and expertise of the Indian pharmaceutical industry to the world.