TDMA to improve its performance to strengthen pharma MSME sector in Telangana

The overall performance of the Telangana Drug Manufacturers Association (TDMA), which is the state affiliate of the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), will be revamped to strengthen the activities connected with the pharma MSME sector. The association will try to bring other pharma industry bodies into its fold and raise the membership strength by making all small companies as its members.

“TDMA has some ambitious plans, but the industry association is unorganized now, it has to be strengthened and unity has to be restored. There are some corporate units and major players in Hyderabad, who face no challenges in their operations and businesses, but in the case of mid-level units and SSIs, they are under pressure always and there is nobody to take care of them. The large companies get what they like because the government authorities support the big players only. The MSMEs are the suffering lot. However, we will approach the government soon”, says SK Janimiya, president, TDMA.

He said the pharma sector will improve provided the government gives maximum support to the industry. The association will soon chalk out a strategy to bring up the industry into its old status, and proposals will be submitted to the health secretary and to the industry secretary. Fortunately, both the officers are very cordial with the industry. The association will meet them next week. For the performance improvement plans, the association has to strive a lot because it is in an unorganized state, so it has to be streamlined first. Then with the advice and suggestions of senior industry and trade experts, steps will be taken to develop the pharma sector. TDMA will consult with industry experts, market leaders and government organisations like Pharmexcil for ideas and cooperation.

“Association is ready to receive expertise and suggestions from forefront leaders and influential figures from the pharma and government sector to elevate the pharma industry in Telangana into higher levels. Now, all MSME units are facing a lot of challenges, especially with regard to regulatory issues. The major challenge we face is from the regulatory department which is not industry-friendly. The top-level officers in the drug control department do not want to create an industry-friendly atmosphere for growth, they are very strict in their enforcement activities. We are ready to comply with all norms, but we should not be put in trouble in the name of enforcement. We need a transparent and industry supporting enforcement system”, says the association leader.

Regarding support from the government side, Janimiya said the industries which are small in size and volume, are not able to influence either the Central government or the state government. But in the case of corporate establishments they easily get their things done with the government. In the case of quality, the products by all SSI units are equal to those of the major players. He said the mindset of the bureaucrats has to be changed positively for the benefit of the MSMEs’ development.