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Syringe Cos Feel The
Pain As Vaccination Rate Dips
Production of AD immunisation syringes at its
plants has fallen from 4.5-5.0 million units per day a year ago to 500,000-
600,000 now. "We are repurposing our machines to produce standard disposable
syringes for curative healthcare drug delivery and are looking to penetrate
overseas markets," Nath said.
The syringe and needle manufacturing industry
is in for a tough year, amid tepid demand as the rate of Covid vaccination
drops. Syringe makers have started to repurpose their machines to produce
standard disposable syringes for curative healthcare drug delivery and are
aiming to penetrate overseas untapped markets.
Rajiv Nath, managing director at Hindustan
Syringes & Medical Devices (HMD), said his company has reduced production of
syringes drastically. "We have huge un-lifted stocks - around 90 million AD
(auto disposable) syringes and 20 million 1 ml disposable syringes - that we
hope will be dispatched by April. These were made for Unicef, government of
India and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). The orders got rescheduled by
over a year," he said.
Production of AD immunisation syringes at its
plants has fallen from 4.5-5.0 million units per day a year ago to
500,000-600,000 now. "We are repurposing our machines to produce standard
disposable syringes for curative healthcare drug delivery and are looking to
penetrate overseas markets," Nath said.
India exported last year (2021-22 ) syringes
worth Rs 413.04 crore with and without needles and imported syringes worth Rs
795.94 crore with and without needles. For the 9 months period from April- Dec
2022 the imports of Syringes were worth Rs 617.32 crore. It was Rs 606.4 core a
year earlier.
The worst hit are the new units which came up
during the pandemic in anticipation that there would be continued demand. "These
units are struggling hard to survive," said Vimal Khemba, AISNMA’s secretary.
"The new syringe makers that geared up and
made huge investments to maximise the output during Covid are now struggling
hard due to tepid demand," he said.
"The demand has drastically slashed down. The
production has to be cut down to almost 40%. There are no takers and there is
cut-throat competition," he added.
At present, there are about 40 units in the
country that manufacture syringes and needles, while five are set to start
operations this year.
Central PSU HLL Launches Menstrual Cups
HLL Lifecare Limited, a central PSU here, has launched three
brands of menstrual cups for women in India and around the globe. Union Minister
of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr.Bharati Pravin Pawar launched the
brands titled -"Thinkal", "Velvet" and "Cool Cup" at a function held at HLL's
Corporate R&D Centre here on Friday.
HLL Lifecare Limited, a central PSU here, has launched three
brands of menstrual cups for women in India and around the globe. Union Minister
of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr.Bharati Pravin Pawar launched the
brands titled -"Thinkal", "Velvet" and "Cool Cup" at a function held at HLL's
Corporate R&D Centre here on Friday.
HLL Lifecare Limited is a central public sector undertaking
under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. After launching the products,
the Minister said that the Menstrual Cup is a big breakthrough in menstrual
hygiene management.
Noting that it is environment friendly and convenient to use,
she also stated that HLL MCup is expected to outshine as a leader in this
segment.
"I am proud to say that whichever area HLL operates, whether
it is contraceptives, blood bags, pharma, or the healthcare service segments,
HLL has adhered to high quality and service standards. HLL is driven by a strong
mission to help the middle and lower-class segments of the country, which is
very laudable and commendable," she added.
THINKAL is the CSR brand of Menstrual Cup, VELVET is the
domestic brand and COOL CUP is all set to be sold in the international markets
of the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, an official statement said.
Menstrual Cup is a sustainable and reusable device made of
Medical Grade Silicone material that can be inserted to fit in the vagina to
collect menstrual fluid. HLL offers high quality affordable menstrual cups as a
safe solution for menstruation.
Reusable for a minimum period of 5 years and a maximum of 10
years is the main specialty of M Cup of HLL. Eliminating waste caused by
sanitary napkins also ensures environmental protection, the statement further
added. HLL has been the Nodal Agency of the Ministry of Health for the
Procurement and supply of Emergency Medical items during COVID Pandemic.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/central-psu-hll-launches-menstrualcups/articleshow/97196801.cms
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