Saline industry comes into operation in Morang

By Our Correspondent 

Biratnagar, Apr. 13: The first saline manufacturing industry in Koshi Province has commenced commercial production. With an investment exceeding Rs. 1 billion, Alexa Lifesciences has begun operations after completing all legal procedures at Budhiganga Rural Municipality–2 in Morang.

The industry was inaugurated on Friday by senior cardiologist Dr. Bhagwan Koirala.

The company has employed 150 people. Its Director Dinesh Thakur said that the commencement of production marks a positive step towards Nepal’s aspiration to become self-reliant in saline and medicines that have long depended on imports. The industry has been funded by Thakur and Ranjit Bhagat.

The investors brought this ambitious project to realisation following five years of study and planning. The facility uses advanced machinery based on German technology.

In the initial phase, the industry is producing large volume parenteral (LVP) saline ranging from 100 ml to 3,000 ml. According to Thakur, there are plans to expand production in the coming days to include small volume parenterals (SVP) ranging from 1 ml to 20 ml, and in a third phase, to manufacture ophthalmic and otic medicines.

At a time when investors are becoming discouraged, the industry has reported some difficulties in market management. “Our main objective is to provide quality medicines and reduce dependency. However, due to high production costs and the inability to adjust market prices accordingly, we are currently operating at a loss,” said Thakur. 

He emphasised the need for policy reforms and government incentives to promote domestic investment.

Foreign companies currently dominate Nepal’s pharmaceutical market. In this context, industrialists noted that such a large-scale investment has injected new enthusiasm into Nepal’s industrial sector, with long-term plans to expand into export markets.