AIPAC launches inaugural programme for MSMEs in pharma sector

The All India Pharmaceutical Associations Consortium (AIPAC) launched its first programme for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the pharmaceutical sector on 12 December 2024. The event took place at the Prestige Institute of Management & Research, Indore, and was inaugurated by Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

This initiative was a collaborative effort by AIPAC, the Society for Pharmaceutical Dissolution Science (SPDS), the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA-MP), and the Madhya Pradesh State Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (MPSDMA). It was designed to enhance the skills of pharmaceutical professionals and promote scientific excellence. The programme was led by S. R. Vaidya, Chairman of IDMA’s SME Committee, and Paresh Chawla of the IDMA-MP State Board.

AIPAC, a consortium of over 15 national pharmaceutical associations, aims to bridge the gap between MSME pharmaceutical professionals and regulatory bodies such as CDSCO and State FDA. Its mission is to offer accessible and specialised training to MSMEs, enabling them to manufacture high-quality, compliant drugs. The MSME sector is integral to India’s pharmaceutical industry, supplying essential medicines at competitive prices.

The event, themed “Symposium on Dissolution Science & Technology for QA, QC, R&D, and Regulatory Professionals of Pharma,” focused on critical topics such as dissolution testing, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. It was conceptualised by Mr Vijay Kshirsagar, Founder President of SPDS and Scientific Chair of the programme, with support from SPDS President Dr Padma Devarajan.

Speakers at the event addressed various aspects of dissolution science. Vijay Kshirsagar discussed the evolution and current regulatory concerns in dissolution science. Suhas Yewale highlighted advancements in dissolution apparatus as per IP standards. Dr Rupesh Kelaskar shared insights on developing discriminatory dissolution methods, while Sudhir Tomar emphasised the validation and verification of such methods. Rajendra Dadhich explored the investigation of out-of-specification results during dissolution testing. Dr Padma Devarajan spoke about the significance of dissolution medium as a parameter in testing, and Sonalika Parashar addressed common deviations and methodologies in dissolution testing.

The programme saw over 250 attendees, including professionals from MSMEs and larger pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, and academic institutions. Teachers and postgraduate and PhD students specialising in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Analysis also participated.

Dr Darshan Kataria, President of MPSDMA, shared strategies to help MSMEs overcome challenges in manufacturing and quality assurance. Key partners such as SOTAX, USP, IP, and Asian Paints contributed to the event’s success.

In his keynote address, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi stressed the need for higher industry standards and underscored the importance of empowering MSMEs. Dr L. Ramaswamy, Founder and National Convener of AIPAC, outlined the consortium’s vision of creating a national platform for training and knowledge-sharing in the pharmaceutical MSME sector.

By uniting experts, regulators, and industry leaders, AIPAC’s inaugural programme marked a significant step toward addressing the needs of MSMEs and ensuring sustained growth in India’s pharmaceutical sector.