Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, recently announced in Lok Sabha that the Department of Pharmaceuticals is implementing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals with a substantial financial outlay of Rs. 15,000 crore. This scheme is set to run through the financial year 2027-28 and is designed to provide financial incentives to bolster the domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

The PLI scheme covers three main categories over a period of six years. These categories include bio-pharmaceuticals, complex generics, gene therapy drugs, complex excipients, and orphan drugs, which are treatments for rare diseases. Under this scheme, a total of eight orphan drugs have been approved for manufacturing.

These drugs include Nitisinone, used for treating Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1; Nusinersen, which is aimed at Spinal Muscular Atrophy; and Rufinamide, used for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Sodium Phenyl Butyrate addresses Urea Cycle Disorders, while Tiopronin helps prevent Cystine Nephrolithiasis. Trientine Hydrochloride is used to treat Wilson's Disease, Eliglustat is for Gaucher’s Disease, and Cannabidiol targets Dravet-Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance domestic production capabilities, support pharmaceutical innovation, and ensure the availability of essential medications for rare and complex conditions.