KATHMANDU: Simadzu Nepal Pharma Expo 2010 has been scheduled for over a three days on March 5-7.

The expo -- organised by APPON -- is aimed at making people aware of the medical progress that Nepal has made over the years.

"Nepal has made significant progress in pharmaceutical industry over the past many years and it is comparable to any international industry," said Umesh Lal Shrestha, president of Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON).

Out of the existing forty-two local pharmaceutical industries, sixteen industries are WHO/GMP approved. The total investment in the industry comes to around Rs 12 billion, of which according to Shrestha Rs 8 billion is invested in raw materials, production, machinery and laboratory equipment building.

"Our quality is as good as imported medicine as we do not hold back as far as quality is concerned, the only issue is that the government does not render required support which is very necessary for our growth," he said adding that has they got desired support from government, Nepal could also be very successful in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide.

The purpose of this expo would be to offer a single platform to disseminate a wide range of products and services that include Pharma processing plant equipment, packaging material as well as machinery, fine chemicals, and bulk drugs.

More than a hundred national and international pharmaceutical companies are expected to showcase their products as well as services during the expo, while more than 50,000 visitors are expected to visit the exhibition. The expo will be held at Bhrikuti Mandap on March 5-7, and will be open from 11am to 5am.