The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers announced the on Monday.
It is a significant step towards the government’s efforts to help upgrade the technological capabilities of our pharmaceutical industry and ensure its alignment with the global standards.
Under the revised scheme, the eligibility for the PTUAS has been expanded beyond MSME to include any pharmaceutical manufacturing unit with a turnover of less than 500 crores that requires technology and quality upgradation.
Preference remains for MSMEs, supporting smaller players in achieving high-quality manufacturing standards.
The scheme introduces more flexible financing options, emphasizing subsidies on reimbursement basis, over traditional credit-linked approaches. This flexibility is designed to diversify the financing options of the participating units, facilitating a more widespread adoption of the scheme.
In alignment with revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP standards, the scheme now supports a broader range of technological upgrades.
Eligible activities include improvements such as HVAC systems, water and steam utilities, testing laboratories, stability chambers, clean room facilities, effluent treatment, waste management etc. ensuring comprehensive support for participating units.
It also allows integration with state government schemes, enabling units to benefit from additional top-up assistance.
This collaborative approach aims to maximize support for the pharmaceutical industry in their technology upgradation efforts.
Further, the scheme introduces a robust verification mechanism through a Project Management Agency, ensuring transparency, accountability and the efficient allocation of resources.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has also announced an incentive subject to a maximum of Rs 1 crore per unit for the entities within a stipulated turnover.
Pharmaceutical units with the turnover of less than Rs 50 crore will be eligible for incentive upto 20% of investment under eligible activities.
Those with turnover from Rs 50 crore to less than Rs 250 crore will be eligible for 15% of investment under eligible activities; while those with turnover from Rs 250 crore to less than Rs 500 crore will be eligible for 10% of investment under eligible activities.