Strengthening Pharmaceuticals Industry (SPI)

• Background: 
  • India is the 3rd largest pharmaceutical producer by volume and 14th by value. 
  • It has the second-highest number of US FDA-approved plants outside the US. 
• Common Facilities: Shared facilities like Testing Centers, Training Centers, and R&D Centers.

Components of the scheme 

• Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (API-CF): 
  • Objective: Strengthen the existing pharma clusters by creating shared facilities. 
  • Beneficiaries: Pharma units forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with at least 5 members; State-promoted pharma clusters. 
  • Assistance: Up to 70% of project cost (90% for Himalayan/North-East regions) or ₹20 crore, whichever is less. 
• Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS): 
  • Objective: Help pharma units meet Schedule-M & WHO-GMP standards. 
  • Eligibility: Pharma units needing technology upgrades, with preference for MSMEs. Incentives: Subsidy on activities like utilities, testing labs, and waste management. Allows integration with state schemes for added benefits. 
  • Flexible Financing Options: Emphasizes on a reimbursement basis subsidy over a traditional credit-linked approach. 
  • Verification: Managed by a Project Management Agency for accountability. 
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Promotion and Development Scheme (PMPDS): 
  • Objective: Support the growth of the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors through:
    • Studies, surveys, and awareness programs, 
    • database creation, 
    • Promotion of industry.