Unichem gets MCA nod for HP plant

Mumbai: The Mumbai-based Unichem Laboratories Ltd has received approval from Medicines Control Agency (MCA), the drug regulatory authority of the UK, for its betalactum formulation plant at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. The formulation plant was set up at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

A company statement issued here claims that the UK-MCA certification received for this plant will give a further boost to the company's already established business in the UK. Earlier Unichem's Baddi facility received certifications from MCC of South Africa.

Unichem is already exporting products manufactured at its Goa plant to the UK market. The Goa plant has international drug regulatory approvals like the UK-MCA, TGA-Australia and MCC-South Africa.

With the current approval of the Baddi plant, Unichem is now looking at expanding its product portfolio in the UK market. These approvals will also facilitate Unichem's entry into other European countries through mutual recognition procedures.

The company is investing approximately Rs 27.5 crore in the upgradation of its Ghaziabad plant, which will be completed by December 2002. This plant will meet international quality standards. The company's major focus in the coming years will be international business, where its operations are focused on high value-added products. Exports of formulations in the current financial year are expected to touch Rs 12 crore, as against Rs 4.77 crore recorded in the previous financial year.

Product registrations in many countries are under process. By the end of the current financial year Unichem is expected to have more than 150 product registrations in various countries. The company has opened distribution networks through tie-ups with local partners or has stationed its own representatives in many countries located in Asia, Africa, Russia and Sri Lanka.