IGMPI India

The entry of private sector pharmaceutical industries after 1990s changed the face of the domestic drugs market in Nepal which was once tremendously dominated by foreign products, particularly the Indian products. According to the Pharmaceutical Producer of Nepal, the domestic companies now occupy a notable share in the domestic market of more than 40 percent. There are at present 45 pharmaceutical industries in operation and 12 industries have been registered, which are expected to come into function soon. The 45 industries in operation at current are estimated to be having an investment of Rs 12 billion.

The Nepali manufacturers, producing normal drugs like paracetamol, a few antibiotics and tonics are now making essential drugs for cardiac, diabetic and liver patients. The quality and enthusiasm of the manufacturers to move with the global trend have helped them to attain an impressive growth. The Nepali drugs manufacturers have also started exporting medicines, with Lomus taking a lead on this front. Beside Lomus, four other domestic drug makers—Nepal Pharmaceuticals Laboratory (NPL), Deurali-Janata Pharmaceuticals, Elder Pharmaceuticals and National Health Care Nepal—have received the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), one of the prerequisites for obtaining the export license from the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Despite having several constraints like power crisis and labor unrest, the domestic pharmaceutical industries have attained an encouraging growth.

Ever since five Nepali companies won WTO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in 2004, most of the companies now are more vigilant about the quality. New companies are using latest available facilities for manufacturing drugs while the old ones too are upgrading to compete in the global market.