Centre Strengthens Pharmaceutical MSME Ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh with Infrastructure and Technology Support
By Suman Munshi
Chief Editor, IBG NEWS
New Delhi, August 4: The Government of India has intensified its efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh by supporting common infrastructure, research facilities and technology upgradation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Strengthening of Pharmaceuticals Industry (SPI) scheme.
According to information presented in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel, the Centre is extending financial assistance through multiple sub-schemes aimed at improving the competitiveness, quality standards and innovation capabilities of pharmaceutical units in the state.
Two Major Cluster Projects in Solan
Under the Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (APICF) sub-scheme, two major projects located in Solan district have received government approval.
The first project, undertaken by Welzo Research & Development Private Limited, focuses on establishing a Research & Development and Testing Laboratory. Approved during the 2022-23 financial year, the project received a total grant sanction of ₹19.53 crore and has now been completed. Financial assistance was released in phases over four financial years, enabling the successful creation of the facility.
The second project, promoted by Himachal Pradesh Testing Lab Limited (HPTLL), has been approved during 2025-26 with a sanctioned grant of ₹17.87 crore. The proposed facility will establish a Common Facility Centre for Research and Development along with a Centre of Excellence for skill development. However, the release of financial assistance is awaiting completion of procedural requirements by the implementing agency.
The Ministry also confirmed that no APICF proposals from Himachal Pradesh are currently pending.
Support for Technology Upgradation
Apart from infrastructure development, the Centre is also supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers through the Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS), which helps existing manufacturing units upgrade their facilities to comply with the revised Schedule-M standards and World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) requirements.
During 2024-25, approvals were granted to 16 pharmaceutical units in Solan district with financial assistance amounting to ₹17.19 crore. In 2025-26, another 27 units were approved with sanctioned support of ₹29.02 crore.
Out of these approved projects, seven pharmaceutical units have already received incentives amounting to ₹6.42 crore for technology modernisation.
Applications Awaiting Decision
The Ministry also informed Parliament that 21 applications submitted by pharmaceutical units in Himachal Pradesh under the RPTUAS scheme are currently pending. The applications are on hold due to a temporary restriction pending the decision of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) regarding the extension of the sub-scheme.
Boosting India’s Pharmaceutical Competitiveness
The SPI scheme has been designed to enhance India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities by strengthening MSME clusters, improving testing and research infrastructure, facilitating technology adoption and supporting compliance with international manufacturing standards.
Officials believe these initiatives will improve product quality, encourage innovation, enhance workforce skills and strengthen the global competitiveness of pharmaceutical manufacturers operating from Himachal Pradesh, one of India’s leading pharmaceutical production hubs.
The details were shared by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
