SPMC doubles production capacity
New machines, investments to manufacture new drugs:
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
The State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation has made steady
progress over the last four years and is looking forward to a more
productive 2010.
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With the completion of expansion activities the capacity
will increase to 4,000 million tablets |
The SPMC has recorded threefold increase in its turnover from Rs 411
million in 2006 to Rs 1,153 million in 2009. The projected turnover for
2010 is Rs 1,300 million, he said. The Corporation has almost doubled
the production capacity from 752 million tablets and capsules in 2006 to
1,195 million in 2009.
The production capacity expected during this year is 1,300 million,
State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) Chairman A.M.P.
Hemachandra told Daily News Business.
The Corporation possesses 59 drug formulations to manufacture.
However, its production capacity is not sufficient to meet the entire
manufacturing capabilities.
“We are in the process of expanding production capacity and one
tableting machine will be installed by April at an investment of Rs 40
million to increase production by 500 million tablets and capsules.
The Corporation has received US$ 10 million funding from foreign
resources to facilitate its expansion activities.
With the completion of expansion activities the capacity will
increase to 4,000 million tablets and capsules from current 1,100
million.
The SPMC manufactures 20 items at present with the capacity to
increase the number to 26 items during this year, he said.
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SPMC Chairman
A.M.P. Hemachandra |
“We are looking at the possibility of manufacturing thyroxin tablets
and the commercial production is expected to commence in April with the
approval of the Cosmetic Drugs Authority”, he said.
The Corporation is the main supplier of drugs to the Medical
Suppliers Division of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition to be
distributed through Government hospitals.
Over 60 percent of its production goes to the local market. It also
imports the rest of its production to Fiji islands and Papua New Guinea.
“The country needs 320 essential drugs and all cannot be manufactured
here. The annual requirement of the drugs is worth around Rs 20 to 25
billion,” he said. |
