New Delhi, August 2, 2024: The Department of Pharmaceuticals has launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals with a huge outlay of ₹ 15,000 crore. It will have a tenure from FY 2027-28. It aims at providing financial incentives to 55 selected applicants for the manufacturing of identified products for six years.
PLI Scheme shall incentivise the manufacturing of three distinct product categories. Category 1 deals with pharmaceuticals including bio-pharmaceuticals, complex generics, gene therapy drugs, complex excipients, orphan drugs—medicaments used for rare diseases treatments. Eight such orphan drugs have been sanctioned for manufacture under it:
1. Nitisinone – For treating Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1
2. Nusinersen – For treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy
3. Rufinamide – For treating Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
4. Sodium Phenyl Butyrate: Indicated for treating Urea Cycle Disorders
5. Tiopronin: Indicated for the prevention of Cystine Nephrolithiasis
6. Trientine Hydrochloride: Indicated in the treatment of Wilson’s disease
7. Eliglustat: Indicated in Gaucher’s disease treatment
8. Cannabidiol: Indicated in the treatment of Dravet-Lennox Gastaut syndrome
The step epitomizes the commitment of the government toward building domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and access to vital medicines that would be used in treating rare and complex conditions. Consequently, the scheme is a critical action toward growth stimulation and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector of the country.
Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, gave these details in the Lok Sabha and described more about how the government works on promoting pharmaceutical growth and increasing access to orphan drugs and medicinal products for rare diseases.