Between the lockdown and the corona crisis, there is also a significant impact on the production of drugs. Half of the units in Baddi area of Himachal Pradesh, which account for about 35 percent of the country's drug production, are unable to produce these days. The remaining 50% of the units are also producing up to a maximum of 40%. According to entrepreneurs, if this situation continues, there may be a shortage of some essential medicines at the domestic level by the end of May or June. Half of the pharmaceutical units located in Himachal Pradesh are unable to produce due to being in the Containment Zone.

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According to the Himachal Drug Manufacturers Association, there are about 575 units here. About 250 of these units are closed. The rest of the units are able to produce 30-40% due to shortage of raw materials, problem of labor movement and the government's tough rules for production during lockdown. Apart from hydroxychloroquine, Manoj Agarwal, MD, Innova Capteb, said that his company used to manufacture 10 million tablets every day, but due to being in the container zone, production has been completely stalled since April 12. He said that the workers working in this industrial area live in nearby places, but due to the lockdown, the workers are not able to come to work. Production work is being done mostly in the same units where the workers live in the same premises day and night.

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In their statement, the drug makers further said that there has been some improvement in the supply chain, but due to supply of raw materials from places like Hyderabad and Mumbai, it is taking 8-10 days to reach the goods. There is also a problem in import of raw materials. The country's largest JNPT port is carrying a very small quantity of goods. Many producers are not taking the risk of production due to fear of an FIR and factory seal if an employee gets corona infected.

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