KATHMANDU: Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON) will urge the government to minimise import of those medicines where Nepal is self-sustained in their manufacture. According to APPON, Nepal is self-sustained in the manufacture of almost 45 drugs. The total contribution of the association to the domestic market is 35 per cent, with a capacity utilization of only 55 per cent of the total capacity. Nepal has a total of 42 pharmaceutical industries that produce medicine. Of these, fourteen industries have received WHO Standard Goods Manufacturing Certificates. With the proposal, APPON looks set to decrease the import of medicines in order to protect its 42 member industries as well as promote self-sustainability in the country. “We are looking to promote domestic industries and products that are of international standards. We are capable of producing quality medicines. The country will not benefit as import of these 45 drugs will not be necessary,” said Madhav Parajuli, pharmacist and executive director of APPON. The proposal will aim not only at import control but also at self-sustainability and guarantee that it will cover 50 per cent of the total Nepali pharma market. “We want to manufacture these drugs in Nepal, and import only those new drugs which come out in the international market,” added Parajuli. APPON will ensure that quality medicines are made and sold in Nepal while taking care to provide medicines priced at within budget reach of local people. Along with this, it will also propose the cancellation of VAT in packaging materials which are produced and available in the country. “The requirement of different stainless steel equipment and accessories is more in Nepali industries. But there is a 40 per cent tax which they have to pay (25 per cent customs, 13 per cent VAT including other taxes),” it said. “APPON also wants research, development (R&D) and other laboratory equipment, which are the basis for product development and quality enhancement to be imported,” he said.