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The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Department of Pharmaceuticals introduces the RPTUAS Scheme (Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance).

Key Features of the RPTUAS Scheme

• Expanded Eligibility Criteria:   It expanded eligibility to cover any pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in need of quality and technological upgrades and having a yearly revenue of less than 500 crores.
• Preference to MSME: Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) have the preference to assist smaller firms in meeting standards for high-quality production.
• Adaptable Financing Solutions: It introduces reimbursement-based subsidies in place of the conventional credit-linked method. It expands the range of available funding choices, enabling broader adoption.
• Assistance for Adherence to New Guidelines: It accommodates a wider variety of technology advancements in compliance with updated Schedule-M and WHO-GMP guidelines.
• Infrastructure Development: Improvements to testing labs, clean room facilities, HVAC systems, utilities, etc. are all eligible activities.
• Incentive Structure: Pharmaceutical units that achieve turnover criteria can get incentives of up to Rs. 1 crore per unit under the Dynamic Incentive Structure. The incentive structure varies according to turnover, motivating growth at various scales of enterprises.
• Integration of State Government Schemes: It permits integration with programmes run by state governments, opening the door to more top-up assistance. It intends to increase the pharmaceutical industry’s level of support for its technological advancements.
• Improved Verification Process: It provides a strong verification process via a project management organization. It guarantees responsibility, openness, and effective use of resources.
• Issue of  Substandard Drugs: The support for drug companies also comes amid reports of deaths abroad due to the production of substandard drugs linked to Indian companies.

PTUAS Scheme: Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme

• Aim:  To help Micro, Small, and Medium Pharma Enterprises (MSMEs) with a demonstrated track record satisfy national and international regulatory standards.
• Interest Subvention: This offers help for approximately SME industries, either by an interest subvention of up to 5% per year (6% in the case of units owned and managed by SC/STs) or a 10% credit-related capital subsidy.
• Maximum Limit: In both circumstances, the loan backed by this is up to a maximum of 10 crores, and the eligible components of the loan are mentioned in the scheme criteria.
• Budget Outlay: 300 crore 

News Source: Business Standard