Interpharm opens Lanka’s first state-of-the-art cephalosporin antibiotics plant

Wednesday, 9 July 2014 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Interpharm Ltd., a pioneer pharmaceutical local company has revolutionised the industry by commissioning the first and only modern state-of-the-art cephalosporin antibiotics manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka. The modern industrial unit situated at Madapatha, Piliyandala was declared open by Interpharm Chairman cum Managing Director Kalana Hewamallika recently.

Interpharm is a subsidiary of Gamma Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Speaking at the opening ceremony of this new antibiotics pharmaceutical plant, Hewamallika drew the attention of the audience to the occasion when his father late Gamani Hewamallika inaugurated Gamma Pharmaceuticals Ltd way back in 1992. “This initiation came with the acquisition of Warner Lambert Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, an affiliate of a multinational pharmaceutical company based in USA. We were rewarded with the franchise to manufacture and market Warner Lambert and Parke Davis brands in Sri Lanka and royalty was paid to our principals for technical support and marketing authorisation for their brands.

“Today I am proud to announce that we have come a long way since this inception to achieve great heights. Gamma Pharmaceuticals has grown steadily over the decades. Its subsidiary Interpharm commenced commercial operations in 1995, initially to service the requirement of the Director of Health Services by participating in Global Tenders floated by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), and thereafter launched its locally formulated brands in 2005. Now we have the might to commission Sri Lanka’s first and only antibiotic factory with modern machinery and laboratory equipment, and staffed by technically qualified and skilled personnel, to manufacture Cephalosporins,” said the Chairman. Hewamallika further observed that Gamma Pharmaceuticals and Interpharm are endeavouring to contribute their utmost to comply with the declaration of the ‘Mahinda Chinthana Futuristic Vision’, by manufacturing pharmaceuticals locally in compliance with International standards and specifications, to save foreign currency and accelerate the economic development of the country. “I am privileged to mention with respect; the blessings, guidance and encouragement extended to us by the present Hon. Minister of Health Hon. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, and his officials together with the unstinted support of the officials of the Ministries of Finance and Planning and Industry and Commerce towards our venture. Such goodwill and assistance have been a great motivation for us to excel. Our Companies Vision of ‘Seeking Excellence in Contributing Towards Quality Health Care for All’ is driving us towards contributing to the total requirement of pharmaceuticals of all government hospitals and supply of drugs to the local market at affordable prices,” he further stressed. We at Gamma Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which commenced with a workforce of 42 had together with Interpharm steadily enhanced the cadre of both companies manifold. The manufacturing facilities and production processes of Gamma & Interpharm were upgraded from time to time to comply with the WHO guidelines and advancement in the international pharma industry, to maintain quality standards. This was achieved with the addition of state of the art machinery and laboratory equipment which included fully automated Liquid Filling machinery, Tableting machines, Coating machine, Capsule Filling machine etc. to abide by the new trends in the international pharmaceutical industry. Thus the standards of the products of Gamma & Interpharm are maintained with constant stringent quality checks. Consistent with their core value of striving for the wellbeing of people and nature they have secured eco-friendly certificates by operating a waste water management plant. Interpharm Ltd has been rewarded for the last two consecutive years, with the Certificate of Excellence and Special Award for the Local Manufacturer by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation; the sole agent for procurement of pharmaceuticals for the state hospitals.