Govt may expand drug storage space at airports

Mumbai: Repeated demands by the pharmaceutical industry has prompted government agencies to look at the possibility of having additional cold chain facilities at airports for drug storage.
A senior official from the department of pharmaceuticals (ministry of chemicals and fertilisers) said, “About 21 possible airports have been identified for adding cold chain capacity.
However, in the first phase we are looking at Delhi and possibly Chennai airports and talks are on with these airport operators. The airport operators will be allowed to charge a user development fee for leasing out space.”
The additional capacity at Delhi and Chennai airports is expected to be deployed over the next two to three years. “We have recommended that the facilities be added at the earliest to meet the growing need and to maintain high international standards.
The complaints by the pharma industry that the quality of medicines transported through air routes suffer due to lack of a proper storage system will be solved to a large extent,” said the official.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is expected to create 3,000-4,000 square meters of additional cold room facilities for pharma products.
We are currently only looking at the needs of the pharma companies, said the official.
03/09/10 Sneha Kupekar/Business Standard

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Categories: airports Sep 2010