CHANDIGARH: Punjab is all set to emerge as new Pharmaceutical hub, with major health sector players like Biocon, Ranbaxy, Max, Merck eying state for their major investment plans, in next three years.

In a second session of ‘Biosciences and Healthcare’ on the first day of Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit held here today the multinational companies saw Punjab as the most preferred state that offers best incentives in the health care sector. The upcoming MEDICITY in New Chandigarh area, was the center of attraction, with maximum queries coming for it.

Speaking in the session Ms. Kiran Mojumdar Shaw MD Biocon Ltd Banglore said that Biocon, the leading company ofIndiais looking for investment of Rs. 3000 crore for expansion of its facilities especially in the area of oral insulin and setting up of a integrated bio pharmaceutical  company with research focus on diabetes, oncology and auto-immune diseases. She said that she was impressed with the focus ofPunjabon Human Resource Development that is the backbone of knowledge based industry. She said that her pet project was regenerative medicines-used and tissue repairs and said that research institutes in ISSER Mohali could play a significant role in furthering research in this sector. Focusing on biotech education, Ms. Majumdar said that after making country self sufficient on food security front, Punjab has potential to makeIndiaself sufficient in Pharma sector by focusing on genetic industry.  

Addressing the session, Mr. K.G. Anantkrishnan, President and Managing Director Merck & Co Inc. said thatPunjabhas potential to move from ‘Farmer to Pharma’ and was the right place to develop full holistic pharma hub of the country. He said Merck was contemplating to set upDiabetesControlCenterinPunjabto train general physicians in diabetes management. Speaking about the expansion program of Max Health Care, Dr. Ajay Bakshi, MD and CEO of Max said that Max was already having substantial presence inPunjaband has chalked out a comprehensive expansion program for the state. He said that in active participation with state, Max India has launched door-to-door drive in the state to identify and screen cancer patients on early stage so that their rehabilitation and treatment could be started at the earliest.  

Unveiling the Healthcare Policy offering plethora of incentives for the investment, Secretary Health Mrs. Vini Mahajan saidPunjabwas the only state that offers best incentives to the Pharma industry and Healthcare sector and provides single window service for fast track clearances of such proposals. She sought proposals from investors for digitalization of healthcare records of all government hospitals and also sought investment proposals in massive health policy of BPL families of the state.